Sam Hyams Hill, Jr.

Sam Hyams Hill, Jr., age 78, of Natchitoches, Louisiana passed away December 6, 2007 at his home. A funeral mass will be held Monday, December 10, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Natchitoches, Louisiana with Father Scott Chemino officiating. Concelebrants will be Father John Cunningham and Father Leo Guillot, both first cousins of the deceased. Visitation will be at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, Natchitoches, Louisiana from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 9, 2007 with Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Sam is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Annette Palmer Hill, one son, Sam Hyams Hill, III (Trey) and wife Jacqueline of Lafayette, three daughters, Ellen Elizabeth Hill Kees (Beth) and husband David of Natchitoches, Dr. Anna Margaret Hill of Monroe, Julie Annette Hill Owens and husband Jimmy of Clemmons, North Carolina, grandchildren David (D.J.) and Steven Kees, Andrea, Brennan, and Rachael Hill, Ross and John Owens, and one brother, James Cameron Hill and wife Irene of St. Louis, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel Hyams Hill, Sr. and Ellen Aaron Hill. Sam was born September 27, 1929 and was a life-long resident of Natchitoches. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1946 and from Louisiana State University in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. From 1951 to 1953, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged with the rank of Captain, he returned to Natchitoches and became a farmer until his retirement in 1988. Sam was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he served as Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and Chairman of the Finance Council. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and served as Grand Knight of Council 1357. A member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, he was selected as Knight of the Grand Cross in 1993. In September 2007, he was inducted into St. Mary’s School Academic Hall of Fame. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Owens, David Hamilton Kees, Jr., Roger Gardner, Davis Gardner, Danny Methvin, Sonny Sklar, Ray Ponthieux, and James Cameron Hill, Jr. Honorary pall bearers will be Rick Hargis, Luther Laborde, Sam Nelken, and David Swanson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Immaculate Conception Restoration Fund or to St. Mary’s School.