Arthur Graham Hill Obituary

Dallas native, Arthur Graham Hill, known as “Art”, age 97 years old, peacefully passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020, in his sleep. Art was born on November 18, 1922, in St. Paul Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He claimed he inherited his musical talent from both parents who predeceased him, Arthur Wales Hill – a tenor, and Eva Graham Hill – an alto who also played a mean piano! Art sang his first solo, “Jesus Loves Me”, at First Baptist Church in McKinney, TX, at the age of four. Art graduated from North Dallas High School in 1941. Hill attended Hardin-Simmons University on a full scholarship in voice where he sang tenor in the university male quartet. He lettered two years at third base in varsity baseball for the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys.

Art’s education was put on hold when he joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served as a ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber. He flew 27 combat missions over enemy-occupied Germany. His battles and campaigns were Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Hill’s 446th Bomb Group led the 8th Air Force on the D-Day attack. His decorations and citations included the Air Medal with six (6) oak leaf clusters. The Staff Sergeant was honorably discharged in 1945.

He continued his education at Southern Methodist University where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and his Master of Education degree from North Texas State University (currently the University of North Texas) in Denton, TX. While attending North Texas his senior year, he met fellow senior, Dana Thompson, the love of his life and best friend, at a college freshman get-acquainted dance that they both crashed! They graduated on a Friday and married the following Sunday at the Little Chapel in the Woods in Denton on August 29, 1948. The next Wednesday, they both started teaching in the Orange Independent School District – Art as a Civics teacher and Coach and Dana as a Speech/Drama teacher.

The couple lived in Orange, Texas for three years prior to moving to Garland. In 1951, they both taught in the Garland Independent School District, but after a year teaching at Garland High School, Art changed professions and became District Manager in the fire protection industry at Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America. Changing industries in 1969, Art joined Diebold, Inc., a major banking equipment manufacturer and later retired from Weidman, Inc. in May 1986.

When the couple moved to Garland, they joined the First Christian Church and then started Monica Park Christian Church (MPCC) as charter members. In 2006, MPCC celebrated its 50th anniversary with three generations of Hills as members. Art was an avid tenor soloist in the choir, at weddings, and funerals. He has also served MPCC as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and Trustee.

Known for his sense of humor, Art was always accessible to share a funny story with a friend, associate, or perfect stranger. His outgoing personality was a perfect fit for a successful salesman. Art loved music, singing, and ballroom dancing. Often accused of being a neat freak and very sharp dresser, he loved to collect and restore 1950’s cars, preferably convertibles, which he drove in parades and car shows. But first and foremost in his life, he loved his Lord, his family, and his close personal friends. He was a wonderful husband and father to his wife and children and mentored other children needing a strong male role model.

Art is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his sister, Elizabeth Hill Malin. He is survived by his wife of 71 years – Dana Lynn Thompson Hill, son, and daughter-in-law – Toppy and Diane Hill, daughter and son-in-law – Kim and Jim Waldrop, four grandchildren – Dayne Hill and wife Maud, McKenna Hill, Austin Hill, and wife Courtney, and Jamison Waldrop and wife Kelly, and four great-grandchildren – Greyson and Jacob Waldrop, Nathan Wilson, and Matthew Crowther. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Art Hill was the kind of man who made a positive impact on those he met and loved. We will miss him immensely but remember him by carrying his stories, teachings, and memories in our hearts until we see him again!

Visitation:
Saturday, January 25, 2020
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Rest Haven Rockwall Chapel
2500 State Hwy 66 East
Rockwall, TX 75087
972-771-8641

Military Honor Guard Family Burial:
Sunday, January 26, 2020
1:00 pm
Mt. Carmel Cemetery
County Road 4818
Wolfe City, TX 75496
903-496-2331

Memorial Service:
Saturday, February 22, 2020
1:00 pm
Rest Haven Rockwall Chapel
2500 State Hwy 66 East
Rockwall, TX 75087
972-771-8641