Jim was born on a ship near Que Que, Rhodesia, East Coast, Africa. His familiy immigrated to the United States the following year. He grew up in Michigan. In his younger days Jim was a golden gloves boxing Champ. He was on several Police Departments in the Muskegon County area and was Chief of Police of Whitehall, MI at time of his death. He was married to Daisy Bell (Hower) Hill and together, they had eight children, James, John ( deceased ), Donald, William ( deceased ), Barbara ( deceased ) & Connie and Russell, who passed away at only 1 month. There was also an unamed daughter that passed away before leaving the hospital. Over the years, James had his own business. A gasoline service station, ( Hill's Old Dutch Service ) and combination grocery store, in Whitehall, MI ( that all of his sons helped operate at one time or another. Jim passed away at home, at the age of 49 from a heart attack. He was well known and respected by all local law enforcement agencies.
NOTE; Although it says James was born in 1913 on his stone and other articles, it has come to light through other letters and papers that he was actually born in 1912.
Formal Obituary:
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 26 January 1962, Page 1. James Hill, 49, stricken at home. Whitehall Police Chief Dies Two Days After Getting Post WHITEHALL—James A. Hill, 49, named Whitehall police chief on a permanent basis only two days ago, died early today at his home after suffering a heart attack. Chief Hill was found dead when the attending physician, Dr. A. M. Engstrom, arrived in answer to a call from Chief Hill's wife. Chief Hill, father of six, was a veteran of 18 years in police work. He served on the Muskegon City force and was a Muskegon County deputy sheriff before joining the 3-man Whitehall force six years ago. He was named to succeed resigning Whitehall chief, Donald Ver Sluis. After arising in the morning, Chief Hill took three steps and collapsed, his wife said. He had appeared in good health. Thursday night he had visited the home of Mayor Richard Cogswell, to have the mayor countersign some checks. "He was in good spirits," the mayor said today. "I told him we were delighted to have him as chief." Sgt. Hill had been appointed acting chief last week. The council made the appointment permanent Wednesday night. Chief Hill's death leaves the City of Whitehall without regular police officers on duty. Joseph Tickle, third member of the force, is attending a basic training course at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Chief Hill had been a resident of Whitehall 12 years, since moving here with his family from Muskegon. At that time he established a gasoline station which the family still operates. He first served as a police officer here on a part-time basis under the former city manager, Howard Gwinnup. He subsequently became patrolman and then sergeant. Born Dec. 28, 1912, Chief Hill was a high school graduate. For two years he was a past vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, turning down the president post He was a trustee of the Muskegon County Constable Association, and a member of the West Michigan law Enforcement Association. James A. Hill was born in Africa of English descent.He was naturalized in Muskegon County Feb. 21, 1940. Surviving are the widow, Daisy (Hower) Hill;(deceased Sept 2009) four sons, James Hill of Florida,, John Hill of Muskegon,(deceased June 1978) Donald Hill at Ft. Lee, Va., and William Hill ( now deceased ) at home; two daughters, Mrs. Barbara Smith of Peru, Ind.(deceased Feb 2002, and Connie Hill at home; two brothers, Charles Eberbach of Muskegon, and John Eberbach of Roosevelt Park, and two sisters, Mrs. Martha Borgerding of Muskegon Heights, and Mrs. Elizabeth Baran of Toledo, Ohio.
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 27 January 1962, WHITEHALL—The funeral for James Hill, 49, who died Friday two days after he was named Whitehall Chief of Police, will be 2:30 Monday at Fruitland Baptist Church. The Rev. Donald LeMaire will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery, Muskegon. The body will remain at Purdy Funeral Home, here, until 10 a.m. Monday.
NOTE; Although it says James was born in 1913 on his stone and other articles, it has come to light through other letters and papers that he was actually born in 1912.
Formal Obituary:
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 26 January 1962, Page 1. James Hill, 49, stricken at home. Whitehall Police Chief Dies Two Days After Getting Post WHITEHALL—James A. Hill, 49, named Whitehall police chief on a permanent basis only two days ago, died early today at his home after suffering a heart attack. Chief Hill was found dead when the attending physician, Dr. A. M. Engstrom, arrived in answer to a call from Chief Hill's wife. Chief Hill, father of six, was a veteran of 18 years in police work. He served on the Muskegon City force and was a Muskegon County deputy sheriff before joining the 3-man Whitehall force six years ago. He was named to succeed resigning Whitehall chief, Donald Ver Sluis. After arising in the morning, Chief Hill took three steps and collapsed, his wife said. He had appeared in good health. Thursday night he had visited the home of Mayor Richard Cogswell, to have the mayor countersign some checks. "He was in good spirits," the mayor said today. "I told him we were delighted to have him as chief." Sgt. Hill had been appointed acting chief last week. The council made the appointment permanent Wednesday night. Chief Hill's death leaves the City of Whitehall without regular police officers on duty. Joseph Tickle, third member of the force, is attending a basic training course at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Chief Hill had been a resident of Whitehall 12 years, since moving here with his family from Muskegon. At that time he established a gasoline station which the family still operates. He first served as a police officer here on a part-time basis under the former city manager, Howard Gwinnup. He subsequently became patrolman and then sergeant. Born Dec. 28, 1912, Chief Hill was a high school graduate. For two years he was a past vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, turning down the president post He was a trustee of the Muskegon County Constable Association, and a member of the West Michigan law Enforcement Association. James A. Hill was born in Africa of English descent.He was naturalized in Muskegon County Feb. 21, 1940. Surviving are the widow, Daisy (Hower) Hill;(deceased Sept 2009) four sons, James Hill of Florida,, John Hill of Muskegon,(deceased June 1978) Donald Hill at Ft. Lee, Va., and William Hill ( now deceased ) at home; two daughters, Mrs. Barbara Smith of Peru, Ind.(deceased Feb 2002, and Connie Hill at home; two brothers, Charles Eberbach of Muskegon, and John Eberbach of Roosevelt Park, and two sisters, Mrs. Martha Borgerding of Muskegon Heights, and Mrs. Elizabeth Baran of Toledo, Ohio.
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 27 January 1962, WHITEHALL—The funeral for James Hill, 49, who died Friday two days after he was named Whitehall Chief of Police, will be 2:30 Monday at Fruitland Baptist Church. The Rev. Donald LeMaire will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery, Muskegon. The body will remain at Purdy Funeral Home, here, until 10 a.m. Monday.
Jim was born on a ship near Que Que, Rhodesia, East Coast, Africa. His familiy immigrated to the United States the following year. He grew up in Michigan. In his younger days Jim was a golden gloves boxing Champ. He was on several Police Departments in the Muskegon County area and was Chief of Police of Whitehall, MI at time of his death. He was married to Daisy Bell (Hower) Hill and together, they had eight children, James, John ( deceased ), Donald, William ( deceased ), Barbara ( deceased ) & Connie and Russell, who passed away at only 1 month. There was also an unamed daughter that passed away before leaving the hospital. Over the years, James had his own business. A gasoline service station, ( Hill's Old Dutch Service ) and combination grocery store, in Whitehall, MI ( that all of his sons helped operate at one time or another. Jim passed away at home, at the age of 49 from a heart attack. He was well known and respected by all local law enforcement agencies.
NOTE; Although it says James was born in 1913 on his stone and other articles, it has come to light through other letters and papers that he was actually born in 1912.
Formal Obituary:
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 26 January 1962, Page 1. James Hill, 49, stricken at home. Whitehall Police Chief Dies Two Days After Getting Post WHITEHALL—James A. Hill, 49, named Whitehall police chief on a permanent basis only two days ago, died early today at his home after suffering a heart attack. Chief Hill was found dead when the attending physician, Dr. A. M. Engstrom, arrived in answer to a call from Chief Hill's wife. Chief Hill, father of six, was a veteran of 18 years in police work. He served on the Muskegon City force and was a Muskegon County deputy sheriff before joining the 3-man Whitehall force six years ago. He was named to succeed resigning Whitehall chief, Donald Ver Sluis. After arising in the morning, Chief Hill took three steps and collapsed, his wife said. He had appeared in good health. Thursday night he had visited the home of Mayor Richard Cogswell, to have the mayor countersign some checks. "He was in good spirits," the mayor said today. "I told him we were delighted to have him as chief." Sgt. Hill had been appointed acting chief last week. The council made the appointment permanent Wednesday night. Chief Hill's death leaves the City of Whitehall without regular police officers on duty. Joseph Tickle, third member of the force, is attending a basic training course at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Chief Hill had been a resident of Whitehall 12 years, since moving here with his family from Muskegon. At that time he established a gasoline station which the family still operates. He first served as a police officer here on a part-time basis under the former city manager, Howard Gwinnup. He subsequently became patrolman and then sergeant. Born Dec. 28, 1912, Chief Hill was a high school graduate. For two years he was a past vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, turning down the president post He was a trustee of the Muskegon County Constable Association, and a member of the West Michigan law Enforcement Association. James A. Hill was born in Africa of English descent.He was naturalized in Muskegon County Feb. 21, 1940. Surviving are the widow, Daisy (Hower) Hill;(deceased Sept 2009) four sons, James Hill of Florida,, John Hill of Muskegon,(deceased June 1978) Donald Hill at Ft. Lee, Va., and William Hill ( now deceased ) at home; two daughters, Mrs. Barbara Smith of Peru, Ind.(deceased Feb 2002, and Connie Hill at home; two brothers, Charles Eberbach of Muskegon, and John Eberbach of Roosevelt Park, and two sisters, Mrs. Martha Borgerding of Muskegon Heights, and Mrs. Elizabeth Baran of Toledo, Ohio.
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 27 January 1962, WHITEHALL—The funeral for James Hill, 49, who died Friday two days after he was named Whitehall Chief of Police, will be 2:30 Monday at Fruitland Baptist Church. The Rev. Donald LeMaire will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery, Muskegon. The body will remain at Purdy Funeral Home, here, until 10 a.m. Monday.
NOTE; Although it says James was born in 1913 on his stone and other articles, it has come to light through other letters and papers that he was actually born in 1912.
Formal Obituary:
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 26 January 1962, Page 1. James Hill, 49, stricken at home. Whitehall Police Chief Dies Two Days After Getting Post WHITEHALL—James A. Hill, 49, named Whitehall police chief on a permanent basis only two days ago, died early today at his home after suffering a heart attack. Chief Hill was found dead when the attending physician, Dr. A. M. Engstrom, arrived in answer to a call from Chief Hill's wife. Chief Hill, father of six, was a veteran of 18 years in police work. He served on the Muskegon City force and was a Muskegon County deputy sheriff before joining the 3-man Whitehall force six years ago. He was named to succeed resigning Whitehall chief, Donald Ver Sluis. After arising in the morning, Chief Hill took three steps and collapsed, his wife said. He had appeared in good health. Thursday night he had visited the home of Mayor Richard Cogswell, to have the mayor countersign some checks. "He was in good spirits," the mayor said today. "I told him we were delighted to have him as chief." Sgt. Hill had been appointed acting chief last week. The council made the appointment permanent Wednesday night. Chief Hill's death leaves the City of Whitehall without regular police officers on duty. Joseph Tickle, third member of the force, is attending a basic training course at Michigan State University, East Lansing. Chief Hill had been a resident of Whitehall 12 years, since moving here with his family from Muskegon. At that time he established a gasoline station which the family still operates. He first served as a police officer here on a part-time basis under the former city manager, Howard Gwinnup. He subsequently became patrolman and then sergeant. Born Dec. 28, 1912, Chief Hill was a high school graduate. For two years he was a past vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, turning down the president post He was a trustee of the Muskegon County Constable Association, and a member of the West Michigan law Enforcement Association. James A. Hill was born in Africa of English descent.He was naturalized in Muskegon County Feb. 21, 1940. Surviving are the widow, Daisy (Hower) Hill;(deceased Sept 2009) four sons, James Hill of Florida,, John Hill of Muskegon,(deceased June 1978) Donald Hill at Ft. Lee, Va., and William Hill ( now deceased ) at home; two daughters, Mrs. Barbara Smith of Peru, Ind.(deceased Feb 2002, and Connie Hill at home; two brothers, Charles Eberbach of Muskegon, and John Eberbach of Roosevelt Park, and two sisters, Mrs. Martha Borgerding of Muskegon Heights, and Mrs. Elizabeth Baran of Toledo, Ohio.
Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan, 27 January 1962, WHITEHALL—The funeral for James Hill, 49, who died Friday two days after he was named Whitehall Chief of Police, will be 2:30 Monday at Fruitland Baptist Church. The Rev. Donald LeMaire will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery, Muskegon. The body will remain at Purdy Funeral Home, here, until 10 a.m. Monday.
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