Services for Hubert Clyde Hill

Hubert Clyde Hill, 86, of Knoxville, formerly of Kingsport, died on Friday at Jefferson City Health & Rehabilitation Center. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday (April 7, 2013) at Scott County Funeral Home, with the funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City Va. with military rites.

Hubert Clyde Hill is now rejoicing with His Lord Christ Jesus

Hubert Clyde Hill

January 30, 1927  -  April 5, 2013

January 30, 1927 brought joy to Mary Ruth (Kern) Hill and her husband Henry Joseph Hill in the mining camp at Toms Creek in Wise County, Virginia with the birth of their first-born, Hubert Clyde Hill.

The youngster grew and played with his siblings as each arrived in the Hill household.  Tragedy came early for Hubert when his father was killed in the mine in 1935.

Too young to work at a regular job to help feed the family, Hubert began working at odd jobs helping anyone who would pay him to work in the fields.  He later joined the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Scott County and worked as a water boy before graduating to more of the regular tasks that resulted in many of the beautiful forest areas of the County.

In 1942 he moved to Kingsport to work at the Eastman plant.  He was employed there until his retirement in 1986 with time out for his service during World War II.

Hubert was a tank driver in the Special Tank Battalion 738^th known as the Great Speckled Bird unit.  His tank was always at the head of the column with the loud speakers to ask for surrender of the enemy.  He served in the European Theater and was involved in many battles, including the Battle of the Bulge.  He earned a number of medals and ribbons including the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart Medal and the European American Middle Eastern Service Ribbon.  Wounds received during his time of service resulted in life-long excruciating pain.  After recovery in the hospitals of Europe and the United States, he was honorably discharged.

He returned home to marry his sweetheart, Erma Lee Harless, whom he had met as one of his pen pals while in the Army.  Together they established a home in the Morrison City community of Kingsport and raised two children, Brenda and Kenneth.

Shortly after his marriage, he found salvation in Christ Jesus his Lord on an altar at the Morrison City Mission Church.  Over the years he became an accomplished Bible teacher and leader of the church, serving as a Deacon for over 60 years.  He was a student of the Word of God and lived its precepts in his daily life.  He was the head of his household and the leader of his family.  He led his family to follow Christ and to trust in the Lord in all things.

In 1956 the family was again impacted by tragedy when a drunk driver crashed into the family as they were traveling to Christmas festivities.  Hubert was pinned in the car with multiple injuries including the amputation of his left leg.  After much surgery and about a year in the hospital, he returned home and renewed his responsibilities.  He gave thanks to God for his healing and thanks to his friends for helping sustain the family during that time of devastation. 

He was a man of determination.  He worked hard raising a huge garden each year, serving the community, working at Eastman, tending to his family, and serving the Church and the work of Christ Jesus.

In his final years, while suffering from the ravages of Alzheimer’s, he continued to recite scripture, sing hymns, and pray well past the time that it was expected that would be possible.

He had a deep sense of responsibility and worked to show that any handicap would not deter him from giving an honest day’s effort on the job, at home, or at church.  Although his pain was unrelenting, he never gave any indication of his suffering to those with whom he worked and worshipped. 

Hubert has gone to be with His Savior to enjoy an eternal  life that holds no more pain and suffering.  The joy of his grand reunion with those who have gone before him cannot be imagined.

He has left behind a family that loved him beyond measure.  His wife of 66 years, Erma Lee (Harless) Hill; daughter and son-in-law Brenda and Ed Miller; son and daughter-in-law Kenneth and Janet Hill; grand-sons Nathan Miller and wife Ashley; Matthew Hill and wife Amanda; and Timothy Hill; grand-daughters  Lee-Anna Miller Thomas and husband Rocky, and Lydia Hill; great-grandchildren  Presley Miller, Jon Thomas, Caleb Hill, and Abigail Hill; his brothers Carl Hill and wife Reta, Rev. Joe Hill and wife Joann, and sisters Henrietta Roach and Carolyn Cunningham and husband Bill.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

 - Psalms 116:15

 Thank you for your prayers for the family and especially for his beloved wife, Erma.