William “Billy” Hill- born in Alexandria, LA on June 12, 1958, passed away on July 5, 2022, in New Orleans, LA. Although he was raised in Central Louisiana, he found his true place in the world when he followed his brother Brice to New Orleans in 1976. Over the next 45 years his love for the city and its people grew, and he began to make his mark here, through his friendships, a lot of hard work, and an enviable passion for life. It was easy for Billy to make an impression on people; he was generous and thoughtful and forever ready to help his fellow man. Billy took every chance to support and uplift the parts of this city that make it great, the music, the food, the art, the bars, and especially the people! He was riveted by the cast of local personalities the city offers and loved telling stories of his interactions with them, never acknowledging that he himself was a true New Orleans “Charack-tour!”
Billy built a reputation of integrity and reliability with every job he had and was so proud to be able to work alongside his son James as the owner of his own business, Billy and Son’s. He was fond of finding discarded objects from the dump and turning them into fence art in the backyard of his home, sometimes to the chagrin of his beloved wife Debbie.
Billy played lots of softball around town with his teammates from the Gators, who were more like a band of brothers. Billy was a great first baseman and a fearsome slugger at the plate. If prompted (or not prompted) he would say the team hitched their wagons to his star, he was a “legend in his own mind.” Billy also cherished the time he spent helping coach his children’s little league teams.
Billy was a loving and dependable father to daughter Katie and son James, who idolized and loved him as fiercely as Billy loved them. He loved being a father, uncle, and grandfather. He would impress all the kids with hilarious antics, wacky jokes, and making fun of their parents or himself. He always said his comedy needed a victim. Billy always had a funny story, and he was able to make the party go on forever…unless he was getting you kicked out of a bar.
As a rule-bender, Billy was once awarded the prestigious NBP Award for Meritorious Service Beyond the Realm of Decency, and when Hurricane Katrina failed to dislocate him from the city he loved, he and some like-minded friends helped with the evacuation of the flood-torn city. As New Orleans recovered from the storm and as businesses returned and revived, Billy found himself one afternoon partaking of some adult beverages at Finn McCool’s, one of his favorite watering holes. He was characteristically berating the bartender (who happened to be his daughter Katie Jean) but found himself being chided by a female customer that was sitting nearby. They were married two years later.
Billy is preceded in death by his parents James Irvin Hill and Norma Jean Hill. He is survived by his loving wife Debbie Moran, his beloved children Katie Jean Vanderbrook (Joe), and James Douglas Hill; his siblings Michael Hill (Debi), Brice Hill (Nadine), Melinda Morrell (John), Susan Johnston (Gary), and Wade Hill (Karolyn); his loving grandchild Ash Phillips, and many nieces and nephews, including his namesake William C. Hill. Billy is remembered by thousands of extended family members and friends, neighbors, musicians, athletes, local business owners, customers, and Jazz and Heritage Festival and Krewe De Vieux merrymakers. He brought a generosity of humor and giving to everyone, and he always wanted more for those he loved. In lieu of flowers…tip your favorite service worker generously.
Services will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM followed by a service at 12:00PM. The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
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