George Maurice Hill

George Maurice Hill, Jr., 77, of Lynn Court, Morganton, NC died Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at Grace Hospital after an extended illness. Born in Durham, NC on September 25, 1930, he was the son of Maurice and Elva Andrews Hill. In his youth, he lived in Chapel Hill, NC until moving to Morganton in 1943. He was a 1948 graduate of Morganton High School and a 1952 graduate of U.N.C.-Chapel Hill. Maurice was a member of the First Baptist Church in Morganton by transfer of letter from the First Baptist of Chapel Hill. Mr. Hill had a varied career. Following his graduation from U.N.C., he went to work for Westinghouse, and then he worked for several years in the furniture finishing business. He was a contractor and built houses in Morganton, was owner and operator of an oil company, was part owner in a truck stop, and held licenses in insurance and real estate. For many years he has served on the Board of Directors of Morganton Federal Savings and Loan. He was most proud of being co-chairman for the fund drive to build the Burke County Rescue Squad Building.From the time he was ten years old, Maurice has been a jazz fan. He played clarinet in the Morganton High School Band and played for one year in the U.N.C Band. He could play anything he heard, and he enjoyed playing his clarinet with his extensive collection of jazz records. He often said that music and lyrics ran throught his head all the time.

Surviving are his wife, Jody M. Hill; his daughter, Dr. Melinda H. Privette; grandchildren, Russell Laundon and his wife, Tristan, Kregg Laundon, Will Laundon, George M. Hill, III, Sara Hill, Emily Privette, Laura Privette, T. J. Privette, and Sam Privette. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved children, Robert Martin Hill, Dr. Caroline H. Laundon, and William A. Hill.A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 19, 2008 at Forest Hill Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate Maurice’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday in the chapel of the First Baptist Church with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church parlor. Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.