Mrs. Willa Mae Hill died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, in Lynchburg, Tennessee, just ten days before her 86th birthday. She was born on August 12, 1931 to William and Twila Hixson in Darragh, PA. She was the youngest of five children, all of whom have proceeded her in death. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Leland Hill and her two children and their spouses, Gregg and Cynthia (Shrader) Hill and Kim and Ed Fields. She is the grandmother of four grandchildren: Travis and Login Hill and Teddy and Thomas Fields.
Willa graduated from Otterbein University in 1952 with a degree in music. While at Otterbein she received the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges award. After graduation, she taught music at all grade levels for ten years before retiring to take care of her children. She then taught piano and voice at home. Willa was the organist and choir director for the United Methodist Church in Madison, Pennsylvania until 1978, when the family moved from Pennsylvania to Fayetteville, Tennessee. She sang soprano in the church choir at First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville until 2012.
Willa had a beautiful voice and enjoyed being the female soloist with the Irwin Male Chorus. She was also a member and soloist with the Westmoreland Chorale and the Huntsville Community Chorus.
Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, August 11, 2017 at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, 200 Elk Avenue N, Fayetteville, followed by visitation with the family until 7:00 pm. Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Willa Mae Hill.
