Paul Hill

Paul Wilson Hill passed away on April 7, 2013 of natural causes. He was 91 years old. Paul was born in Sidon, Mississippi on March 31, 1922, to David Christopher Hill and Hattie Mae Blanchard. He was one of eight children who grew up on a cotton plantation in the Mississippi Delta. During the depression the family moved to Jackson, Mississippi and operated a grocery store. Because of his mother's ill health, the family then moved to San Diego, California where the owned an orange ranch. At the outbreak of World War II, Paul enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was very proud of his service as a navigator on a bomber over the Pacific. After 4 years of service he was honorably discharged in 1946. Beacuase Paul's brother, Mack W. Hill had married and settled in Chico, Paul decided to also. For years Paul owned and operated Foster Freeze at 9th and Broadway. He later worked as in insurance agent. Paul married Janice McKrola in 1948 and they adopted a son Fred, who has preceded him in death. Widowed by his second wife Evelyn Weimer, he spent the last 23 years with his companion, Thelma Snowdon, in Durham. During his retirement he loved to travel to family and Air Corps reunions, where he renewed long friendships. He also loved to dance at the Durham Grange and CARD, often twice a week with Thelma, where they were long time regulars. An avid collector of antiques, he frequented the local and not so local garage and yard sales. He collected far too many things! His parents, two sisters Eunice and Elizabeth, four brothers David, Robert, William and Mack and niece Alice Dear precede Paul in death. He is survived by his long time companion, Thelma Snowdon, his brother Lamar Hill (and wife Ernestine) of John Day, Oregon, nieces Kathryn Baker of Colorado, Carol Grigg and Margaret Hill of Chico. He is also survived by many other neices and nephews. Paul will be missed so very much by all of his family. A private graveside service will be held. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice in car of Brusie Funeral Home who is handling the arrangements.