Shirley Hill

Shirley Jean (Smith) Hill was called home to heaven on January 8, 2022, after living a full and vibrant life of 82 years.  Shirley was born on February 4, 1939, at home at the family farm near Bonifay, Florida to Eula Lee and Henry Leamon Smith.

The oldest of 8 children, Shirley spent her early years doing chores on the farm and swimming in the nearby creek for fun.

Shirley Jean Smith attended Bonifay Elementary School, Holmes Co. Jr. High, and Holmes County High School.

After graduating from high school, Shirley moved to Panama City, FL to find her way in the world.  While there in 1959 she was set up on a blind date with Jim Hill, a young engineer from Southern California who was working for Hughes Aircraft Company at nearby Tyndall AFB. Shirley and Jim dated for over a year, but his job transferred him to Europe in late 1960.   Jim was only in Europe for about 4 months when he proposed marriage by letter in January 1961. By April 1961 young Shirley Jean Smith was on an airplane headed to Frankfurt, Germany to be married.

Shirley and Jim were married on April 7, 1961, at Ramstein AFB. In 1962 they moved to Seville, Spain and in 1963 their first son, Drew, was born.  In 1964 Shirley and Jim Hill returned to the United States and settled in Van Nuys, CA. Their second son, Stephen was born there in 1966. In 1970 Jim was transferred to Aurora for a 3–5-year project at Buckley ANGB.  However, the 3–5-year project never ended, and they remained in Aurora. Jim Hill passed away in February 2016.

Shirley Hill was a deeply committed Christian and was a very active participant at multiple churches.  She felt a calling to support Jim in his work with Missions, but in the 1980s she began to find her own, complementary path. In the past 20 years or so many people knew of her “banner ministry” wherein she worshiped and celebrated via colorful and elaborate banners that she made.

Shirley is survived by her son Drew and his wife Peggy of Fredericksburg, VA, her son Stephen and his wife Robin of Aurora, CO. She is also survived by her brothers Wendell Smith of Bonifay, FL, Ralph Smith in the Philippines, Roy Smith of Hendersonville NC, Ronnie Smith of Bonifay FL, as well as her sister Linda Sue Johnston of Grand Junction, CO. Shirley was cherished by her six grandchildren: Ryan Hill, Carter Hill, Ames Hill, Ean Hill, Maddie Hill and Ruth Hill. Shirley also greatly loved her great-grandsons Jacob Hill and Deacon Hill. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Jim Hill, her sister Iva Pearl Smith and her brother Ray Smith.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 22nd at Faith Presbyterian Church at 11373 East Alameda Ave, Aurora. Shirley will join Jim and be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery.