Edward Gray Hill

Edward Gray Hill, 91, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2022, in the care of family, his loving caregivers and Hospice of Davidson County. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of family, his constant concern for other people, his knowledge of Davidson County history, and his positive outlook on life. Truly, a man of grace and a man of faith. Edward Gray Hill was born Dec. 13, 1930, the youngest child of Joe Allen Hill and Mittie Fern Tussey Hill. He graduated from Welcome High School in 1949. He entered North Carolina State University, became a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and graduated in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture education. He later earned a master’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1971. On June 28, 1953, he married Mildred Ann Sink, also of Lexington. He accepted a position as staff writer for the Raleigh Times and moved to Zebulon, N.C., with his young wife. He entered the U.S. military in 1954 and served with the Army of Occupation in Germany from 1954 to 1956. After his military service ended, he returned to Davidson County and taught at Robert B. Glenn High School in Forsyth County. In 1957, he became the Davidson County Tax Supervisor where he served for 10 years and was recognized in 1966 as North Carolina’s most outstanding tax supervisor. In 1968, he joined the staff of Davidson County Community College and was appointed Assistant to the President. During his tenure at DCCC, he received the Henry Louis Gaston Award as the most outstanding public relations officer of colleges and universities in North Carolina and South Carolina. He retired in 1985 to spend time with his family, travel with his wife, and enjoy special volunteer activities. Although he grew up as a member of Beulah United Church of Christ in Welcome, Edward joined Pilgrim Lutheran Church after he married, which began years of active service to the church including multiple terms as Chairman of the Church Council, Secretary of Church Council, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, choir member, Chair of the Worship and Music Committee, and adult leader of the youth group. In addition to his service at church, Edward is remembered for a lifetime of service including President of the Davidson County Heart Association; Charter member of the Welcome Lions Club including service as Secretary, President, Zone Chairman, and Deputy District Governor; member of Lexington Jaycees including the offices of Vice President and Secretary; member of the Lexington Choral Society; and Board member of the Boy Scouts Uwharrie Council. Edward was particularly proud of being a lifelong Democrat. He served as Precinct Democrat Judge of his voting precinct for 50 years. He was blessed with 63 years of marriage to Mildred resulting in three children: Dr. Edward G. Hill, Jr. (Ann) of Winston-Salem, John Allen Hill (Sharmin) of Columbia, S.C., and Ann Hill Stephens (John) of Orlando, Fla.; five grandchildren: Edward Gray Hill III of Lexington, Anna Jarrett Propst of Florence, Alabama, John Robert (Jay) Hill of Columbia, S.C., and Meredith Ann Stephens of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, and John Kenneth (Jake) Stephens III of Reunion, Fla.; and two great-grandchildren, Frances (Frankie) James Propst of Florence, Alabama, and George Beau Hill of Lexington, N.C. He was preceded in death by his wife; a granddaughter, Elyssa Grace Hill; his parents; two brothers (Joe Allen Hill, Jr. and Charles Glenn Hill); and two sisters (Beatrice Hill Feezor and Ruth Hill Hamby). The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Saturday, June 25, at Davidson Funeral Home, 301 North Main Street, Lexington. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 823 Ridge Road, Lexington. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers for the love and devotion shown to him during recent years. They are particularly grateful to Martha Muth and Hospice of Davidson County. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church (823 Ridge Rd. Lexington, NC 27295), Meals on Wheels (PO Box 1697, Lexington, NC 27293), or Hospice of Davidson County (200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292