Mr. John “Jack” Wendell Hill, 81, passed peacefully from this life at Lady Lake Specialty Care in Lady Lake, FL on March 17, 2020. He was born in Logan, West Virginia, on July 26, 1938.
His family later moved to Newport, Kentucky where he graduated from Campbell County High School. He then went on to receive an Education Degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He was a member of ROTC and Pershing Rifles. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Army. He served on active duty for seven years completing tours in Germany and Vietnam. He then returned to EKU to earn a Master’s Degree in Education.
He moved to Cincinnati, where he continued to serve in the military as a reservist with the 2075th USARF School, and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. At one point he was the Assistant Commandant of the unit. He also taught Industrial Technology at Mason and Princeton High Schools.
On the advice of his Army Buddy, Col. Jim Snow, in 1998 he purchased a lot in The Villages, FL sight unseen! In 2004, upon retiring from teaching, Jack and his wife, Betty, moved to The Villages. He enjoyed golfing, trips in the R.V., excursions with the Mustang Club, and poker with his neighbors. He also belonged to the Kentucky Club.
Jack was a member of The Grand Lodge of KY, F. & A. M., The Louisville-DeMolay Commandery No. 12 Knights Templar, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, SJ, USA, Disabled American Veterans, and The Vietnam Veterans Club.
He is survived by Betty, his wife of 42 years; three daughters, Jacqueline Jordan of St. Louis, Paisley Higgins and husband, Jim, of Walton-Verona and Betsy Chance and husband, Philip Doan, of Lebanon, OH; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Fred Theler of The Villages, FL; many grandchildren; great grandchildren, nieces and nephews throughout the United States; his 97 year old mother-in-law, Carolyn Congleton of Barbourville, along with his sisters-in-law and their families.
Jack had a strong work ethic. He had a great sense of humor and made us all laugh. Who could forget him coming down the spiral staircase on his 40th birthday wearing his swim fins and snorkel? His Ohio neighbors nicknamed him “Jack Travolta”. He is greatly missed. “At Ease, Soldier”. Rest in Peace.
A private graveside memorial service will be conducted in the Barbourville Cemetery Saturday, June 19 with military funeral honors.
Local arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
