Robert Wilson "Bob" Hill

Robert Wilson "Bob" Hill, 86, of Sherwood Heights Rd., Morganton, NC went home to be with the Lord on November 28, 2006 at Valdese General Hospital following a period of declining health. Born on August 28, 1920 in Batavia, New York, he was the son of the late Harrison R. and Graca Counts Hill. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Meriam Davis Hill; a brother, Richard L. Hill; a sister, Darlene Hill; a granddaughter, Eva Lamb; and a great granddaughter, Amanda Wilkes. He was a charter member of New Beginnings Baptist Church, Morganton, NC. Bob served in the US Navy during World War II. Bob enjoyed raising show rabbits, and was a show rabbit judge for 22 years. He was a lifetime member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association, the Florida State Association, the Central Florida Rabbit Breeders Association, the Southern Mini Rex Association, and the Footnotes Club of North Carolina. Bob was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was affectionately called "Julio" by great grandchildren, Josh, Janet, Corey, and Robert Lee.

Bob is survived by daughters, Alice Nicely and husband, Melvin, of Valdese, NC, Joan Pace and husband, Rob of Council Hill, OK, and Sharon Wilkes and husband, Hubert, of DeLand, FL; granddaughters, Ann Parker, Karen Dearman, and Lory Lamb, all of Oklahoma, Sandra Carswell and husband, Tracy, of Morganton, and Peggy Spann and husband, Mark, of Connelly Springs, NC; grandsons, Lee Nicely and wife, Dana of George Hildebran, NC, Barry Wilkes and wife, Brenda, and Al Wilkes and wife, Laura, all of DeLand, FL; eighteen great grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 1, 2006 at Burke Memorial Park with the Reverends Bob Deviney and Joe Greene officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by members of the American Legion Post #234 of Valdese. The family will receive friends Friday from 1:45 pm until 2:45 pm at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the residence, 3926 Sherwood Heights, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Beginnings Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Bob Deviney, Hwy 64 West, Morganton, NC 28655, or to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.