Ronny Hill Obituary
On Tuesday morning, October 15, 2024, Walter Ronald "Ronny" Hill, age 71, of Lutz, FL died peacefully at home.
Ron was born in Birmingham, Alabama on May 24, 1953 to Alva Lee and Henry Holmes Hill. He moved to Lutz, Florida in 2015 after he and Carla reconnected, and married her later that year. He was the youngest of five children and, according to his family, had an early relationship with Jesus Christ. When Ronny was six years old, he asked Santa Claus for a cowboy outfit and a picture of Jesus. He received both, and kept the picture for his lifetime. Thus began his commitment to his faith, and sharing Christ's love with anyone he met.
Ronny grew up in Homewood, Alabama where he attended Shades Valley High School. While at Shades Valley, he was active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Youth for Christ, and led a Bible study for high school and church friends. He was his class' Chaplain, a Mountie Man cheerleader, threw the discus, and volunteered for a mission trip to Bolivia. He learned to play the guitar and the piano at a young age, and used music to praise the Lord. Witnessing to others through music and conversation was one of Ron's favorite pastimes. Following high school, he attended Auburn University and later, graduated from Samford University. His volunteer work in college included being the music leader at a summer church camp, where he wrote his first song titled, "My Morning Song". He also spent summers on mission trips to the Rio Grande. Following Ron's graduation, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where he became fluent in Spanish.
After completing his formal education, Ronny taught Spanish and Bible at Minor Christian school. He also taught Anatomy and Physiology at the college-level. He took his guitar and performed over 400 concerts in 18 countries. In the 1980's he recorded the album, Crystal Clear, one of his proudest accomplishments. Art Linkletter got word of Ronny's music, and suggested that Ron move to Nashville, comparing him to John Denver. One of his greatest fears was taking his music to the grave; so he was especially happy to put his songs online and share his album with the world.
Realizing that a traveling music career was not very conducive to raising a family, Ron left music professionally and worked in sales. His favorite sales job was working at his family's former business, Hill Dental Company. His easy and friendly demeanor was a natural for sales. Later, he felt called to create a children's magazine, The Flicker, which was published for youth in the Birmingham area. As editor and publisher, Ronny was fortunate to interview many well-known celebrities.
Ronny was a deeply spiritual man who happily shared God's love with others. Often described as a kind and gentle soul, he was an inspiration to all who knew him, and was loved and admired by many. His happy outlook on life, despite his many health issues over the past ten years, endeared him to hospital, rehabilitation, and home health staff. The impact of his life will be felt for years to come. When anyone asked how he was doing, he replied, "Blessed beyond measure". His favorite Bible verse was Col 2: 6-10 and his favorite parting words to anyone were, "Keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart". If Ronny was not sharing his love of our Lord, you could find him poolside throwing a ball in the pool for his four dogs, Gracie, Tess, Annie, and Cricket. He also had a great love of the outdoors and strived to teach his children the same. Hunting and fishing were his favorite activities, along with their family trips to the beach. After moving to Florida, and as his health declined, he enjoyed trying out new restaurants, cooking and grilling for Carla, calling his family, visiting the beach, watching sunsets, playing Parcheesi, listening to online church services and music, watching Alabama football, and visiting with friends and neighbors.
Ronny was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry Heamon Hill (Janet). He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carla Douglass Hill, children, Stephanie Hill Rowe (Josh), Jonathan David Hill, Clayton Holmes Hill (Mara O'Mara), and his bonus children, David Lee McCarty (Lauren Wellborn), Douglass Drew McCarty (Brandi Ervin), and Daniel Miller Hurst McCarty (Jamie). He is also survived by four grandchildren, Addis, Sophia, Henry, and Dylan. Ron's surviving siblings are Bill Hill, Sr. (Dottie), Al Hill (Jan), and Sandra Hill Chapman (Gary). Nieces and nephews are Bill Hill, Jr., John Hill, Debbie Coshatt (Alan), Amy Dickerson (Brad), Caine Hill, Cass Klimcak (Jerry), Jim Fike, Jr., Rene Van Fossen (Keith), Jen Davis and a host of great-nieces and -nephews.
Visitation will be 5:00PM to 7:00PM, Friday, November 1st, 2024 at Ridout's Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama, 35209.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 in the Mouat Chapel at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama, 35209, and officiated by Ronny's best friend, Pastor Robert Douglas, of Aspen Church, Evanston, Wyoming.
Following the service, a private gathering of Ronny's immediate family will be at New Live Oak Cemetery, 110 West Dallas Avenue, Selma, Alabama, 36701 .
In remembrance of Ron's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made towards the AdventHealth Tampa Foundation in support of the Rehabilitation unit: AdventHealth Tampa Foundation.
