Paul Hill

Retired Chief Petty Officer Paul "Popsey" Edgar Hill, 83, died Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

Paul Hill

Paul was born Oct. 9, 1933, in Princeton, Indiana, to Charles Alexander Hill and Elizabeth Fae Benbrook.

After graduating from Princeton High School in 1953, he joined the Marines and was assigned to the 2nd Amphibious Reconnaissance Company at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After two years, he transferred to the U.S. Navy, serving as a cryptologic supervisor, radio operator and special instructor. He served for over 20 years at various Navy bases, including Edzell, Scotland, where he met and married his wife, Constance Laing, in 1966. He also served on several ships, including the USS Princeton, USS Saratoga, USS Forrestal and the USS Mount McKinley. During his extensive military career, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the China Service Medal and Good Conduct Awards.

Having known poverty in his childhood, he knew his military training accompanied by higher education was the ticket to a better life. He attended Pensacola Community College and eventually completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of Evansville in Indiana. He instilled in his son and daughter a strong desire to pursue higher education, resulting in them earning an MBA and Doctor of Education, respectively.

He was discharged with full honors in 1975 and worked in private industry before once again working for his country in the civilian sector at Rock Island Armory and at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. Widowed in 2008, he spent his remaining time moving around the United States, living in Florida and Oklahoma before returning to the Cape Girardeau area to be near his daughter and her family.

Paul's daughter and her family are forever indebted to the care provided by Southeast Hospice personnel, including Dr. Edwards, Joanna Gray, Lynn Boren and Bob Conway, as well as those not mentioned, who provided care for him when he first returned to the area in 2014. Also, Sherry James and her organization, Comfort Keepers, were a saving grace, providing numerous hours of care while he lived in a private residence. He lived his last 15 months at Chateau Girardeau, and even though the sign on his door was very fitting -- "Pets Welcome, People Tolerated" -- he developed positive relationships with the personnel and residents. Finally, he is greatly missed by his loving friend, Darlene Daniel, and his cat, Ickee. He is remembered as "a top-notch guy," a brave and loyal soldier, as well as a patient and loving father and grandfather.

He is survived by a loving daughter, Dr. Pamela (Jeremy) Barnes of Jackson; a son, Kevin Hill of Edmond, Oklahoma; and a daughter from a previous marriage, Lorraine Weaver. He is greatly missed by his teenage grandchildren, Matthew, Emma and Taylor Barnes, for his puzzle playing, his quick wit, gorgeous blue eyes and his handsome smile. He also is missed by his Oklahoma grandkids, Katelyn, Brittany and Jackson Hill.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ray; and his wife, Constance.

He is to be cremated and interred at Arlington National Cemetery, alongside his "Bonnie Scottish Lass," Constance. No local services will be held.

McCombs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.