William "Baxter" Hill

William “Baxter” Hill

Wrens, GA –               William “Baxter” Hill, 80, loving husband of 57 years to Hilma Tharpe Hill, entered into his eternal rest late Friday night, February 5, 2021, at Westmoreland Care and Rehabilitation Home in Westmoreland, TN. Graveside services will be held at 12:00 P.M. (noon) Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Blythe United Methodist Church Cemetery with George Samples and Rev. Carson Fellows officiating.

Because of the family’s respect and concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged during any gathering.

Baxter spent his childhood, teenage and young adult years in Miami FL, where he graduated from Miami Technical High School and also earned a Drafting Degree. In this season of life, Baxter achieved the highest rank in The Boy Scouts of America: Eagle Scout. He had a passion for playing softball and bowling in this chapter of life, as evidenced by the numerous trophies he received during this time. He also attended The University of Miami. After marrying Hilma, the family moved to Wrens and for many years co-owned Hill’s Bar-B-Que with Hilma and his parents, Bill and Frances.

He was a faithful member of Wrens Baptist church, and enjoyed teaching the young boy’s Sunday School class for many years. He had a passion for teaching his students all 66 books of the Bible, and many men attribute their knowing these books to “Mr. Baxter”, and their time spent in his Sunday School classes.

Baxter enjoyed all types of sports, but had a fondness for baseball, golf and basketball. He was known in the CSRA and surrounding counties for refereeing and umpiring numerous middle school, high school, and adult recreational sports events for many years. In sports and in life, Baxter always had a heart for the “Underdog” and pulled for them every time.

Baxter loved the Lord, and loved being a blessing to his family and community. He tremendously enjoyed being a member of The Gideon’s International, Waynesboro GA Camp. His life and faith in the Lord radiates through the verses of Scripture: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” And, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

Baxter was preceded in death by his parents, William “Bill” Luther Hill and Frances Phillips Hill. Other survivors include his children, Sheri D. Hill and William Timothy Hill (Joy); sister, Elaine Walden (Ray); four grandchildren, Bryttani Sproat, Brandon Michael Hill )Melissa), William Cody Hill and Ian Sproat; three great grandchildren, Evan Norton, William Logan Hill and Georgia Rose Hill; his church family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, Baxter’s family asks that a monetary gift be given in his memory to either Wrens Baptist Church, PO Box 217, Wrens GA 30833, or The Gideon’s International, Waynesboro GA Camp, PO Box 12, Waynesboro GA 30830.