A. Carolyn McWilliams Croft Hill

Carolyn McWilliams was born 25 July 1930, to Bob and Freddie McWilliams on her parents' homestead just north of Henderson, TX.

Carolyn was raised a country girl on her parents' farm in the piney woods of east Texas. She attended all grades of public school at the historic Gaston Regional School, where she was an outstanding student of English, played clarinet in the band, and was a leader in various clubs. She blossomed into a talented and true southern beauty and was awarded the title of most beautiful in high school. After graduating early from High School, Carolyn attended North Texas State College in Denton before leaving to marry her high school sweetheart, Chuck Croft. Together, they moved to Austin in the winter of 1949 where she worked at Balcones Research Center and had five children. In the midst of raising their family, they spent seven years living in the Rio Grande Valley. Carolyn continued her interest in art and studied art history at the University of Texas. Carolyn was a talented artist and potter. Among her artistic accomplishments was a period mural on the walls of the Gaston Museum near Henderson, Texas. She was an expert gardener, beautifying every home she lived in, and an exceptional seamstress, making, among other things, all of her daughter's school clothes, costumes, cheerleader uniforms, etc. As a master organizer, she coordinated many South Padre beach vacations to include cousins and friends of her children.

Carolyn was known as a second "mom" to many of her children's friends. She had a kind and welcoming heart and opened her home and her cooking to anyone who was there. In addition to that, at one point in her life she was a sorority mom for Kappa Kappa Gamma (University of Texas).

Active in her church, she loved working with the children in Primary, among other callings. As part of her service to the church, she was also very involved in family history, assisting and teaching others how to research their family genealogies. She worked as the Secretary at the LDS Institute of Religion near UT campus for years. Later in life she married Harold Hill and they traveled extensively. For one year they served as missionaries for the Lord Jesus Christ in the hills of West Virginia. Tenderhearted Carolyn followed her Savior's example, constantly caring for those less fortunate, sharing anything she had, including the clothes off her back.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her mother, father, two brothers Buddy and Jim, one sister Sue, her youngest son Ben, and her stepson Mark. She is survived by her husband Harold Hill, son David Croft (Terri) of Austin, daughter Cathy Anton (Bruce) of Dallas, daughter Jan Swanson (Greg) of Austin, daughter Carol Anne Croft of Dallas, stepdaughter Cindy Hill (Don) of Austin, sister Helen Tisdale of Henderson, sister Ena Louis Spalding of Portales, NM, grandchildren Jeremy (Lori), Kim (Scott), Paul (Joanna), Benjamin, Forest, Sean, Justin, Chris, Charlie, Lindsay (Larry) and Rusty (Danielle), eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and their families. She loved her extended family and gave loving attention to everyone, always interested to hear updates about their lives.

There will be a visitation at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home (3125 N. Lamar, Austin) on Saturday, January 16th from noon until 2:00pm followed by a graveside service at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery (2800 Hancock Blvd., Austin) at 3:00pm.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Scott & White Hospital-Round Rock and the Scott & White Hospice team for their gentle and competent care of our beloved Carolyn.

("Click on Tribute Video link above to watch a Tribute to Carolyn")