Obituaries : Rev. William F. Hill

Reverend William F. Hill, 78, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the ABCM Rehab Center Independence – East Campus in Independence.

He was born. February 10, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of William Franklin and Margaret Carolyn (Miller) Hill, Sr. April 18, 1953, he and the former Betty Lou Hackworth were married in St. Louis.

Reverend Hill’s pastored his first church in Silex, Missouri. He and his family moved to Independence, Iowa, in 1965 when he became the pastor at the Assembly of God Church in Independence. In 1971, he founded the Calvary Evangelistic Center in Independence, retiring in 2014.

Reverend Hill took part in ministry across the area including Vinton, Waterloo, Oelwein and smaller surrounding towns as well as various work in the United States. He also did missionary work in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He served on the Board of Directors of the Free Gospel Bible Institute in Export, Pennsylvania. He earned his Doctor of Theology degree from the International Seminary in Plymouth, Florida. Rev. Hill was a constant reader as well as an author of some 20 books and pamphlets. In his leisure time, he enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, playing tennis and softball.

Reverend Hill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty, 3 daughters, Debbie (Dennis) Stacey, Donna (Larry) Wright, and Dian (Tony) Kremer, and 1 son, Durant (Natale) Hill, all of Independence, Iowa. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, and 1 great granddaughter in infancy.

A Celebration of Reverend Hill's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2015, at the Calvary Evangelistic Center in Independence with Pastor James Ganze officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence. Friends may call for visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2nd, at the Calvary Evangelistic Center.

There was to be a planned Anniversary Celebration this weekend which will continue from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the school area of the complex. Online condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com. White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.