Obituary of Oliver Joseph Hill

Oliver Joseph “Joe” Hill, 76, of West Columbia, SC, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, September 18, 2019.  Joe’s beginnings were met by numerous challenges. His father died at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 when he was just 2-years-old. Not long afterwards, a childhood accident caused injuries that left him with special needs. His widowed mother, Hazel, was a steadfast encourager and a woman of faith. She helped him overcome numerous obstacles through perseverance and faith.

Joe became a skilled carpenter while working alongside his Uncle Kendall, who taught him the trade. Those skills qualified him for a position in the maintenance department at the University of South Carolina where he had a successful career and retired.  While Joe was able to live alone, he required a caregiver to oversee his needs. For almost 20 years, his cousin, Cindy, selflessly and faithfully served as his caregiver. His world revolved around his mother, his cousins, Cindy Camp and Carlene Hall, his Aunt Mildred, and a special companion, Julia Koon, who he lovingly called his “Sweetheart.”

He is survived by numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Francis L. Hill, his mother, Hazel Sylvia Crawford Hill, his aunt, Mildred Stokes, and his uncles, O.T. Crawford and Robert Kendall “Kingfish” Crawford.

Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10  a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Thompson Funeral Home, 200 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169 with Dr. Floyd E. “Ernie” Bell officiating.

The family would like to thank MSA Hospice for the loving care they provided to Joe.