Mr. Raymond Howard Hill's Obituary
Raymond Howard Hill, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was born on January 13, 1950 to the late Ray Hill and Marcelene Hill (Palmer) in Meridian, Mississippi. He transitioned on Monday, September 11, 2017. Howard received his earl·y education at St. Joseph Catholic School and graduated from T. J. Harris High School, both in Meridian. After graduation, he continued his education at Meridian Junior College and Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. He married Jonnie Mae Mosley on January 25, 1974. Three daughters were born to their union: Tianna, Amy, and MicheUe. Howard was a career serviceman, having enlisted in the Army in July 1975 and retiring as a Staff Sergeant in 1995 after 20 years of service. During his career, he held various job duties as a logistical specialist with positions including Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) Customer Associate, Stock Control NCO, and Material Management Supervisor. He received various awards and was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award). Howard also served as an advisor to the Army's Equal Opportunity Branch (EO). He and his family experienced the world and made lifelong friends as he served at posts at Fort Campbell in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, Fort Sheridan in Highland Park, Illinois, Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, Fort Polk in Alexandria, Louisiana, Karlsruhe, Germany, and North Korea. Following his military service, he returned to Meridian and worked for various contractors at the Naval Air Station including Boeing and L-3 Communications. He loved his family with every fiber of his being. He showed it by showering his loved ones with food he prepared or by purchasing specialty candy while on one of his frequent store runs. He showed it by texting and messaging funny jokes, prayers, and recipes. He showed it with his presence as he was a mainstay at birthday parties, graduation celebrations, christenings and baptisms, or simple get togethers. He frequently reminded you that "Family is all you got!" Of course to him family extended beyond blood. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church and served as an altar boy in his youth. Upon his return to Meridian following retirement from the Army, he served the Catholic Community of Meridian as a Knight of Columbus, a Knight of Peter Claver, and a member of the Parish Coundl. He loved his church and its members. In fact, everyone knew that if you wanted Howard to be somewhere you could not schedule, it during the first weekend in October, which is St. Joseph's annual Octoberfest celebrated by the church and the surrounding neighborhoods. He also volunteered with the youth and served on the advisory board of St. Patrick's School. Howard was full of life and humor. Three things you would not lack in his presence were good food, good stories, and good laughs--laughter sometimes so hard and deep it cramped your belly, stole your breath, brought tears to your eyes and11eft you with the hiccups. He was known as a great storyteller. He had a nickname for everyone and sayings for every occasion. In response to mistakes (his or yours) he would say" __ happens!' As a military man, he would bring the job home by using the phrase, "Off and on, off your behind (using a more colorful word of course) and on your feet!" As he mellowed in more recent years, talking to his grandchildren; nieces, and nephews he shortened his phrase to simply, "Off and on!' He greeted friends yelling out of his truck in passing, "If I had a rock I'd throw it!" Sometimes as you parted ways with him, he would bid you to "Be good, but if you can't be good, be careful, and if you can't be careful, be good at it." One of his mantras was, "If you can't dazzle them with diamonds, baffle them with bs!' He expressed his love with his signature call and response to his grands. Howard: "Who loves you baby?" Response: "Paw Pawl" Howard was active in the community. His weekends were frequently spent lending his fish frying and grilling skills to the church and various other organizations for fundraisers or social gatherings, including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Delta Nu Zeta Chapter, and other organizations affiliated with the Council of Organizations. In fact, he had secret recipes for his fish batter and his barbecue sauce which he generously shared with all who had the pleasure of enjoying his fare. His truck was a mode of transportation and a sidekick that he kept stocked with snacks, a cooler with adult and kid-friendly beverages, tools, extra clothes, samples of his famous fish fry, and dominoes. Howard was loved by everyone. His friends ranged from lifelong to young people with whom he had an uncanny ability to connect. He gained their respect and love. Some of his favorite hangouts were "the block" or Davis Court, where you could catch him shooting the breeze or playing dominoes. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry Hill, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Jonnie; daughters Tianna (Malcolm) Raby, Amy (Timothy) Pinkston and Michelle (Christopher) Simon. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jordyn and Timothy Pinkston, Camron and Christopher Simon, and Ava Raby, a brother, Hubert (Ann) Hill, a great-uncle, Jessie (Lula) Palmer, nephews, nieces, sisters and brothers-in-law, godchildren, and friends.
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