J. Clifton Hill

A lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, he died at 6:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, at his home. He was 96. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., was from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, with a wake service at 7 p.m. Visiting at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 749 East Blvd., resumes Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 9:30 a.m. until religious service at 10:30 a.m. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Park. A devoted and loving husband, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Olga Maestri Hill. A loving and inspiring father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is survived by his sons, the Rev. J. Clifton Hill Jr., and Richard Charles Hill and his wife, Anne Hobgood Hill; six grandchildren and spouses, Shayne Elizabeth and Michael Hope, Christine Anne and David Kirkbride, Samantha Renee and Ron Rhymes, Richard C. Jr. and Melanie Hill, Celeste Chase Long and Stacia Lynn and Alex Lauderdale; and 15 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be his grandson, husbands of his granddaughters, and Dr. David Gerard Fourrier, David T. Grand and James W. Taylor Jr. He was a 1932 chemical engineering graduate of LSU, where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi social fraternity, Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemical fraternity and Theta Alpha Phi, national theater honors fraternity. He was a 1928 graduate of St. Vincent's Academy, which became Catholic High School, and for many years was the oldest living graduate of that institution. He was a registered professional engineer, a lifetime member of the Louisiana Engineering Society and the Cooling Tower Institute. He retired from Exxon's Baton Rouge refinery in 1974 after 31 years of employment. He was a consultant for Kurita Water Industries from the time of his retirement until 1984. He enjoyed woodworking and using his "handyman" skills to help others. He and his wife were enthusiastic overseas travelers, especially to Europe and the Orient. But, most of all, he enjoyed his family and his friends. The memory of his faithfulness and generosity to family and friends is no small part of the legacy he leaves. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic High School or the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation. Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., in charge of arrangements.