Ralph Emerson "Tommy" Hill Obituary (1931

********The Memorial Service for Ralph Emerson "Tommy" Hill, 90, will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church ************** Ralph Emerson "Tommy" Hill, 90, a resident of Dayton, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022. Ralph was born on July 7, 1931, in Rockingham County, Virginia to the late Heber and Lena Smith Hill. He graduated from Dayton High School in 1948. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1948. He served as a Radioman and Teletype Operator in the Panama Canal Zone, Panama and Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba. He worked as an air traffic controller in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Newport News and Charlottesville, Virginia. He enjoyed playing bluegrass music, Harley motorcycles, woodworking, planting trees and feeding the birds. Ralph enjoyed reading the Bible and re-reading books from his unique and old book collection. He was a member of Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. On June 27, 1992, he married Christine Christophel Mast Hill, who survives. In addition to his wife, Ralph is survived by his children, Ralph Hill II of Texas, James Hill and wife Diane of Ohio, Miriam Frances Hill and husband Brian Orr of Maryland; step-children, Vicki Nolt and husband Wesley of Rockingham, Roger Edward Mast and wife Cheryl of Harrisonburg, V. Andre Mast and wife Gloria of Broadway; a daughter-in-law, Lynette Mast of Harrisonburg; four grandchildren, James Michael Hill, Kimberly Koethe (Andrew), Jayce Hill, and Gray Hill; 10 step grandchildren, Danielle Rhodes (Joel), Briana Shenk (Brian), Julia Nolt, Mark Mast (Rachel), Grayson Mast (Rachel), Michaela Mast, Sylvia Mast, Isaac Mast, Reuben Mast, and Hannah Mast; one great grandchild, Christopher Koethe; and two step great grandchildren, Brooks Rhodes and James Shenk and numerous fun loving nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by a son; Nathan Hill; step son, Christopher Mast; and siblings, Willard Hill, C. Merritt Hill, W. Bernelle Hill, Fern Fix, and V. Frances Hill. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church with Pastor Craig Maven officiating. A special thanks to the caregivers that have taken care of Ralph in the last several months especially Donna and Filemon Resendiz. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harrisonburg Mennonite Church Building Fund, 1552 S. High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com. McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.