Submitted by his mother
Randy Hill was one of the most dedicated firefighters anyone would want to have and serve as their Fire Department Chief. He died while in intensive training at the county-wide training held monthly. The men had just returned from the three (3) mile walk. He collapsed and was rushed to the hospital across the street. He had a fatal heart attack. He was our beloved and only son‚ and brother to his only sister. We miss him so much.
Randy was 43 years old at the time of his death. He had been with the local volunteer fire department since its inception about 18 years ago. If he was anywhere within hearing distance to receive signals to his pager‚ he would be the first one on the site. Randy spent many untold hours working at the fire station‚ usually‚ trying to repair the older trucks and making sure the trucks were ready to move at first call. He attended every type training class that was offered and we have his many certificates hung on his room wall in his memory.
Randy was employed by the Town of Hiltonia as the water superintendent where his local fire station is located. He always gave 100% in whatever he attempted whether it was being the best son‚ brother‚ family member‚ friend‚ or to his employer. His friends will vouch for all the donated hours over-seeing the construction of their new houses. He refused any pay‚ it was simply done from the heart. His funeral only proved the friends he had developed such closeness with‚ whether working relations or just close pals. All of this combined helped to make our loss more bearable for us.
We were so honored‚ (as Randy would have been‚ could he have known)‚ to have a fireman’s burial! It was so impressive and heart rendering. What an honor for him to have been a part of such a powerful organization.
From the bottom of our hearts‚ THANK YOU!
The Randy Hill family.
We all love you and miss you Randy. I am going to put a buck with lots of points at your tombstone soon. If you had to leave us, I am glad you were doing what you loved…your passion…firefighting. The honor guard provided the most beautiful ceremony for you. You would have been so proud. We were. We will honor you again in Maryland this weekend. We will all join you and our grandparents and loved ones in Heaven one day. Love, your sister Michele, Mama, Daddy, Toby, Pugsly and Zack.
– MicheleRandy, ~I am sitting here four years later, and still can not believe that you have left us. Just after you passed away, Bobby sang a song during church. It was the first time I had ever heard it.and it brought tears to my eyes, but it made me think of you so much. I think it is letting us know that you no longer have to suffer the way you did most of your life. There are some things that we will never know, but I feel that God took you early to spare you of worse things that could happen as a result of your juvenile diabetes. I try to get Bobby to sing this special song every year around the anniversary date of your death. Here are the words: Hallelujah Square (by Canton Spirituals)I saw a blind man tapping along He could not see like you and me I said, Oh mister, I feel sorry for you He said, When I get to heaven, I’ll see just like youCHORUSI’ll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square What a wonderful time we’ll have up there We’ll sing and praise Jesus, His glory we’ll share There won’t be no blind man in Hallelujah SquareI saw an ole cripple dragging his leg He could not walk like you and me I said, Oh mister, I feel sorry, so sorry for you He said, When I get to glory, I’ll walk just like youCHORUSI’ll walk with my friends in Hallelujah Square What a wonderful time we’ll have up there We’ll sing and praise Jesus, His glory we’ll share There won’t be no cripple in Hallelujah SquareI saw a beggar, begging for bread He did not have food to eat, like you and me I said, Oh, oh mister, I feel sorry, so sorry for you He said , You see, when I get in glory, I’m gonna sit at the table just like youCHORUSI’ll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square What a wonderful time we’ll have up there We’ll sing and praise Jesus, His glory we’ll share There won’t be no beggar in Hallelujah SquareROLLThere won’t be no blind man in Hallelujah Square There won’t be no cripple in Hallelujah Square There won’t be no beggar in Hallelujah SquareWe (and Zack ~ he’s a trooper, and Pugs ~ he’s almost 11) still love you. Your sister, Michele
– Michele