Mahlon Hill

Mr. Mahlon H. Hill, age 85, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, passed away on Monday morning, December 26, 2011 at his home. Born in Albermarle, North Carolina, he was one of three children born to the late Jehu F. and Rana Hill. After being raised in Albemarle, at the age of 17, Mr. Hill enlisted in the United States Marines Corps, serving in China and Okinawa during WW II. Upon leaving Okinawa, he was one of only a few survivors of his Battalion. After being discharged, he left Hawaii, arrived stateside in California and returned home to North Carolina. Mr. Hill soon joined the Nabsico Baking Company as a Salesman. In 1953 he met his future wife, Vera Etta Lambe during a short trip to Myrtle Beach. The two were engaged by the end of the weekend. They were married on February 8, 1954. As Mr. Hill continued working with Nabisco, the newlyweds established their first home in Greensboro, NC. In 1955, their first son, Chip, was born. In 1959, their daughter, Denise, joined the family. In 1964, the Hills moved to Atlanta, GA, as Mr. Hill accepted a Sales position with Hill-Rom Industries, covering the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. The third child, Joe came along in 1965. Mr. Hill remained with Hill-Rom, Hillenbrand Industries, moving to the corporate headquarters in Batesville, Indiana in the mid 1980s as the Director of Customer Visitation. Upon retiring from Hill-Rom, Mr. and Mrs. Hill relocated to Fernandina Beach. As a graduate of the University of North Carolina and playing center for the Tar Heels, he remained an avid follower of his former University’s football and basketball teams. Mr. Hill was a member of Stanly Lodge No. 348, AF & AM in Albemarle, and the Yaarab Shrine Temple, Atlanta. His family recalls his love for them and the season of Christmas. He was as happy as he has ever been surrounded by his family and opening his packages this last of his Christmas nights. He was a very generous and trustworthy family man and little league baseball coach. Mr. Hill is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Vera Lambe Hill, who passed away in 2002. He leaves behind, their three children, Mahlon, “Chip” Hill, Jr. and his wife Julie, Atlanta, GA, Rana Denise Hill, Atlanta, GA, Joseph “Joe” Branson Hill and his wife Pat, Fernandina Beach, FL, four grandchildren, Matt, 22, Lindsey, 18, Nathan, 12, Maddie, 7 and his nephew and wife, Steve and Betsy Hill, of Rock HiIl, SC. Family will greet friends on Thursday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home, Albemarle, NC. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Friday from the Cryptside in Stanly Memorial Gardens as he is laid to rest beside his wife. Mr. Hill will be missed by many. Please share his life story at www.oxleyheard.com Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Hill family.