Gene R. Hill

Our beloved Gene Raymond Hill, of Austin, Texas, passed away at age 85 on February 13, 2024, after a short illness. While we grieve at his loss, we rejoice in his long life and the legacy he leaves behind.

Gene was many things to many people. He was a devoted husband to his wife Eleanor for 63 years, and even at the end she was by his side until his final breath. He was also a patient and loving father to his three children and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. Professionally, he was considered a skilled accountant who formed lifelong friendships with his colleagues. Those who knew Gene appreciate his sincerity, humor, humility, kindness, and wisdom.

Gene was born with his identical twin Jim on May 16, 1938, in Waterloo, Iowa. Jim arrived first at birth, and when the doctor informed their weary mother that an unexpected twin was right behind Jim, her response was, “But I don’t want another!” Gene survived this ignominious beginning to achieve great things in life.

Gene attended Shawnee Mission High School in Shawnee, Kansas, and graduated with a degree in Accounting from Baylor University in 1960. While at Baylor, he met the love of his life, Eleanor, after arriving late to the first day of Geology class. Fortunately, the seat next to her was available. Gene and Eleanor married in 1960 and settled in El Paso, Texas. Gene proudly served in the National Guard from 1960 to 1966 as a Staff Sergeant in a Field Artillery Unit.

Gene worked for the Internal Revenue Service as both a Revenue and Appeals officer from 1960 to 1994. Following his retirement from the IRS, he served as a Church Tax Consultant. His primary client was the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which sent him to Baptist associations all over Texas to lead tax seminars for church clergy, financial secretaries, and treasurers. He received the Church Management Hall of Fame Award from the National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA) for “outstanding contribution to church management and NACBA.” The Southern Baptist Business Officers Conference (SBBOC) also honored Gene with the Taylor Daniel Award of Merit “for outstanding contribution to Baptist Business.” In 2023, in recognition of his dedication to the accounting profession, Gene received the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy 50-Year CPA License Award.

Gene loved music throughout his life and played the French horn in both the Baylor University Golden Wave Marching Band and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. Following his graduation, his booming bass voice resonated in various Baptist church choirs, most notably at Hyde Park Baptist Church, for the next 58 years. He also found great joy in attending the symphony and was a patron of the Austin Symphony Orchestra for more than 40 years.

His greatest passion, however, was his family. Gene delighted in attending his children’s and grandchildren’s musical concerts, sporting events, and school functions. He loved playing cards and dominoes and putting together puzzles with his kids and grandkids, who have fond memories of him reading stories in his deep voice. Gene’s voice was one of his signature qualities—it was so resonant and loud his family could pick it out of any large crowd. Another signature quality was his love of rhubarb pie, which was his annual birthday treat.

A true servant to his faith, Gene served as a Baptist deacon for more than 50 years. In addition to his church choir involvement, he served as Church Treasurer and was a longtime member of the Finance Committee at Hyde Park Baptist. Gene also served as a trustee of the Hyde Park Baptist Foundation. He and Eleanor taught Sunday School for almost 40 years, which included 24 years at Hyde Park leading the Nearlywed/Newlywed class.

Gene was predeceased by his parents, Ruth James Hill Hager and Richard Leonard Hill, and his twin brother, James R. Hill.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife Eleanor, his children Mike (Janna), Jeff (Audrey), and Julie (Ed), his grandchildren Allyson Wilker (Jake), Andrew Hill (Alexandra), Scout Hill, Austin Hill, Ella Hill, Pippa Hill, Will Veeser, Nate Veeser, and Clare Veeser, and his great-grandaughter, Bailey Rae Wilker.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hyde Park Baptist Church on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. A luncheon for everyone will be held afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.

The family has requested that memorial gifts be made either to Hyde Park Baptist Foundation, 3901 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751, or to the Gene and Eleanor Hill Scholarship Fund (www.baylor.edu/hill). Mail contributions can be sent to Gene and Eleanor Hill Scholarship Fund, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97050, Waco, TX 76798. For mailed contributions, please note that the gift is in memory of Gene Raymond Hill.

The service at Hyde Park Baptist Church for Gene will be available online at https://boxcast.tv/view/gene-hill-celebration-of-life-service-jamiregrnafd12g7szmc