Hugh Hill

Graveside services with Military Honors for Hugh Hill, 89, of Abernathy, TX will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2035 in the Abernathy Cemetery, with Rev. Caleb Hughes, pastor of First Church of the Nazarene, officiating. The family will gather to receive friends at Abernathy United Fellowship Hall on Friday, April 25th immediately after graveside concludes. Services are under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home, Lubbock, TX. Mr. Hill died at his home in Abernathy, Thursday, April 17th, 2025, surrounded by his family, friends, and caregivers during his final days. Hugh Hill was born January 17th, 1936 in York Township, Belmont County, OH to Walter F. and Luella (Duvall) Hill. He was raised in Powhatan Point, OH where he graduated from Powhatan Point High School in 1954. During high school, he excelled in football and baseball, and he always carried fond memories of his youth, growing up with his brothers and sister in the beautiful, wooded hills near the Ohio River. Following graduation, Hugh joined the United States Air Force. After basic training in upstate New York, he was put on a train to begin serving his tour with the destination being Lubbock, TX and Reese Air Force Base. During his tour, while stationed at the old Abernathy Airfield, he met a fiery redhead named Ruedelle (Rudy) Stephens from Abernathy. The were married on July 14, 1956, at the First United Methodist Church in Abernathy. They soon welcomed their first addition to the family with the birth of a daughter, Terri, in the Spring of 1957 while he was still serving in the Air Force. A son, Michael would come later in the Summer of 1960. After finishing his tour in 1958, Hugh studied and became a Master Electrician. He began working at Hancock Manufacturing, and between a couple of short stints back in Ohio, spent the bulk of his early career at Hancock Manufacturing in Lubbock, and later its successors, Clark Equipment and Ingersoll-Rand. He rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming Maintenance Superintendent of the plant until its ultimate closing. After the plant closed, Hugh became Maintenance Director of the Lubbock International Airport until his retirement from his professional life in the late nineties. After retirement, Hugh served as Municipal Judge for the City of Abernathy for over 14 years, when he had his "second" retirement at the age of 77. Hugh and Ruedelle raised their children in Abernathy and were very active in their lives, the lives of their grandchildren, and in the community. Hugh was a member of the Abernathy Masonic Lodge, and a 32nd Degree Mason for over 50 years. He served as Chief of the Abernathy Volunteer Fire Department, and Commander and Judge Advocate of the American Legion, Post #500 in Abernathy. He also served as a Reserve Deputy for Hale County, and as Building Inspector for the City of Abernathy for a few years. He loved his adopted home of Abernathy and cherished the many friendships he made there over the years, especially, the daily coffee sessions with his friends at numerous places in town. He also stayed connected to his roots as a long-time member of the Powhatan Point Alumni Association, and he always cherished his trips back to Ohio to see his beloved family and friends. Hugh and Ruedelle lived in the same house in Abernathy since 1968, and the home they built become the source of so many treasured memories and family gatherings. Ruedelle passed away on October 15, 2024, two years short of their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Hugh was a consummate, exacting craftsman who seemingly knew how everything worked. He loved spending time in his well-equipped workshop, doing carpentry and electrical work for the people in the community, building furniture, and making woodcarvings that are now treasured keepsakes for the family. He was a long-time member of the NRA and loved to collect knives of all kinds. The family always joked that their home had been under "some sort of construction project" for over 50 years. Hugh believed in God, Country, and most of all, his family and friends. He was proud of his military service, and his service to his community. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a strong sense of duty, work-ethic, self-reliance, and personal responsibility. He was a kind and gentle steward of his family, good-humored, patient, stern only when needed, and he was always in your corner, no matter the circumstances. He had a sparkle in his blue eyes and a mischievous smile that was with him until the end. His home was always open to family, friends, and the friends of his children. Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Walter E. (Margie) Hill of Powhatan Point, OH, sister and brother-in-law Carma Lou (Charlie) Board of Newport, OH, sister-in-law Ann Stephens Kincaid, brother-in-law Sam Stephens, and sister-in-law Peggy Stephens. He is survived by his children, Michael Hugh Hill of Lubbock, TX and Terri Smith and husband Larry of Lubbock, grandchildren Kyle Hendrix and wife Hollie of Lubbock, Adam and Amy Smith of Lubbock, and Brant Smith of Austin, TX, great-grandchildren Holton and Koleman Hendrix, Carter and Brynlee Smith, Shepherd and Braden Smith, brother Barry Joe (Linda) Hill of Ohio, and brothers-in-law Ronnie Stephens of Graham, TX and Gene (Doris Anna) Stephens of Abernathy. Additionally, he is survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who he also loved very much. The family would like to express their gratitude to Caring Hearts Home Care, Angels Hospice, and Mary Caballero for the loving care of our Dad as his health deteriorated. The family would also like to thank Hugh's many physicians for their care and comfort over the last several years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to Caring Hearts Home Care at 4601 50th St., Suite 202 Lubbock, TX 79414, or to the American Legion - Post #500, 312 Main Street, Abernathy, TX 79311.

Hugh Hill

January 17, 1936 - April 17, 2025