Donnie Laverne Hill

Donnie Laverne Hill
Donnie Laverne Hill

Donnie Laverne Hill, 88, of Amarillo, Texas passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, January 28, 2021.

Services will be at 2:00 P.M.,  Monday, February 1, 2021 in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Dr. Jim Smith officiating.  Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Donnie was a loving and kind man of integrity.  Donnie provided security, peace, and was a source of stability for his loved ones.  He lived a full life and was ready to be with the Lord in Heaven, though he will be greatly missed by many.

Donnie was born to Arthur and Vesta Hill in Grandfield, Oklahoma on May 31, 1932.  He was the first of six children, having one brother and four sisters.  The family later moved to Texas where Donnie’s father was a farmer and his mother a homemaker.  After attending Clarendon College, Donnie moved to Amarillo, where he met and later married Carole Janet Bedwell.  Donnie and Carole were married for sixty-eight years.

Donnie enlisted in the Army in 1953 and was stationed at Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, Texas. He served during the Korean War and was a proud veteran who loved his country.  After his time in the service, Donnie worked as a carpenter building homes in the Amarillo area.  During that time, he and Carole had three daughters.  In 1956, he went to work at Graybar Electric Company and retired after thirty-eight years.  His work at Graybar provided a steady income and reflects the constancy and stability that Donnie offered his family.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Carole, and three daughters: Barbara Tisdale and husband Wayne, Kelly White and husband Joel, and Kim Garvey and husband Dennis, all of Amarillo.  He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jeremy White and wife Megan, Sarah Hulsey and husband David Lee, Justin Tisdale and wife Amanda, Hannah Byars and husband Danny, Seth Harrison, Sawyer Hix and husband Jarett, Austin Garvey and wife Melissa, Beth Medina and husband Matthew.  Donnie had twenty-one great-grandchildren: Grace, Ashley, Emerson, Lily, Ella, Quinny, Kai, Samuel, Austin, Laney, Dawson, Beck, Scout, Lily, Luke, Dottie Jo, Mac, Lainey, Alyssa, Zach, McKenzie, all of whom were fond of his popcorn, chocolate malts, and the various treats he liked to share.  He is preceded in death by a brother, Jimmie Hill, a sister, Marjorie Getman, and a son-in-law, Bruce Harrison.  Donnie and Carole have been active members of St. Stephen United Methodist Church for many years and enjoyed Sunday lunches with family as well as weekday visits with grandchildren.  Donnie was a historian at heart and researched and wrote about the Texas Panhandle as well as his own family history.

During Donnie’s time in the Army, while stationed at Fort Bliss, a movie was being made about a drill sergeant.  The director needed some basic training marching maneuvers for the film, and handsome Donnie was in the sequence they filmed and used in the finished cut of the movie, Take the High Ground.

Donnie has now taken the high ground and is with the Lord in Heaven.  His loved ones are thankful for the moments and memories they shared during his remarkable life.

The family suggests memorials to St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 4600 S. Western St, Amarillo, TX 79109 or the charity of choice.

 

5 Replies to “Donnie Laverne Hill”

  1. Kim, Kelly. So sorry to hear of Mr. and Mrs. Hill’s passing. Great neighbors. 13th Street. 60s, 70s. RIP

  2. I am sad to hear of Donnie’s passing. He and Carol were our neighbors for many years. We thought highly of he and his family. He will be missed. May he rest in peace. Love to his family.
    Barbara Brown

  3. My thoughts and prayers for the loss of your loved one. My sister and I knew you and your family as kids . Prayers for healing during this time of loss.

  4. He will be missed. I am glad I got to meet Donnie and Carole if only for a bit. It was nice to see him out and about over the years. Where I would be greeted with a smile and a handshake. Blessings to the family.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *