Rudolph Hill, Jr. "Rudy"

Mr. Rudolph Hill Jr. passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of 67. He was born August 31, 1956, in Los Angeles, California to Rudolph Hill Sr. and Jo Ann Marie DeGroat Hill.

Rudolph "Rudy" Hill Jr. accepted Christ at an early age. He was baptized at the St. Paul Episcopal Church in Saginaw, Michigan, when he was four. He attended Long Street Highland, and Webber Elementary Schools, Arthur Eddy Junior High, and Saginaw High School. After graduating he joined the United States Navy at the age of 17.

Rudy’s military career started at Great Lakes Naval Base in Great Lakes, Illinois. During his career he became a Legalman (LN), joined the Navy Basketball team, and had a successful career around the world. After twenty-eight years of active service, Rudy retired in 2002 out of Yokosuka, Japan. While in the military, Rudy united in marriage to Pamela Regay Smith Hill on August 30, 1983. They raised four children; he shared an extraordinary relationship with his wife and kids. After retirement, he and his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in June of 2002. He continued his career as an IT for the Jacksonville District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in Jacksonville.

Rudy excelled at a variety of sports and games. He enjoyed basketball, baseball, bowling, pool, and swimming. In his adolescence he was a lifeguard and throughout his life, he maintained an active lifestyle. Rudy also found entertainment in playing poker, chess, and dominoes amongst many other games. In his later life, Rudy found solace in taking care of his house, yard, and family. He touched many people’s hearts and lives with his unique personality and kindness, and always maintained his trademark sense of humor.

Rudy leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Pamela Regay Smith Hill, Jacksonville, Florida; two daughters and two sons, Barry Theodore Smith, Jacksonville, Florida, Chantell Starlett Hill, Silverdale, Washington, Rudolph Hill III, Suffolk, Virginia, and Mercedes Anita Marie Hill, Sammamish, Washington; four sisters, Madeleine Brooks O'Neal and June Brooks, Saginaw, Michigan, Dolores Hill, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Suzette Hill Curry, Defiance, Ohio; one brother, Cedrick Eulysess Hill, San Diego, California; many cousins including Laura Hill; one sister-in-law, Jacquelyn Hill, San Diego, California; many other relatives and friends.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Hill Sr. and JoAnn Marie DeGroat Hill; sister, Dorthy Jane Brooks Jones; five aunts, Louise Hill, California, Ruby Hill, Chicago, Illinois, Dolores Hill, California, Mary Ellen Roundtree, West Mississippi, and Betty Jameson, Saginaw, Michigan; seven uncles, James "Mike" Hill, Bill Hill, William "Bob" Hill, Ernest "Jr." Hill, John "Jack" Hill, Bobby Hill, all of Chicago, Illinois, and Leroy Hill.

The family would like to express special thanks to all the members of our family and to all of our friends who have expressed their condolences for our loss.