Temple Hix Hill

Temple Hix Hill, age 93, formerly of Marshville, NC and most recently of Apex, NC passed from this life on Wednesday, April 19 after a brief stay at Transitions Hospice Home. Temple was born in Marietta, NC on May 5, 1923, son to the late Hix Nellie Temple Hill. He is also preceded in death by two sisters; Barbara Brinkley, and Katy Cooper. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, April 21, 2017, in Marshville United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Marshville City Cemetery. The family will receive from prior to the service 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM in fellowship hall. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Blanche Harrell Hill; 2 daughters: Mischa Davis (Tommy) and Barbara Mulkey (Jim); 5 grandchildren: David Mulkey (Jessica), Stephen Lee (Rosemary), Eric Lee (Carrie), Allison, and Karen Inman (Charles); 3 step-grandchildren: Tina Mulkey (Bo), John Davis (Ali), and Justin Davis (Jessie); and nine great grandchildren. Temple grew up in Marietta, NC until leaving to attend Belmont Abbey College. After being drafted into the Army Air Corps, Temple served proudly as a top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 bomber during WWII while stationed in England. He flew 30 missions over Germany, followed by 15 missions over France. For his service, Temple received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the French Legion of Honor, the highest decoration bestowed in France. Following his service, Temple entered NC State University where he earned a degree in Agriculture, and later a Master’s Degree from East Carolina University. He enjoyed his career as a high school agriculture teacher in Duplin and Gaston Counties for almost thirty years before retiring to focus on his farm in Union County. There, he raised hundreds of beef cattle and enjoyed his tractor, his animals and his gardening. Most of all, he enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren, who developed a real love and appreciation for the farm. Temple and Blanche developed many friendships in the 25 years they lived in Union County, especially within their church and the Monroe Fitness Center, where Temple had the distinction of being the oldest member. Throughout his life, Temple loved people and never met a stranger. He also loved music, and taught his children and his grandchildren the old spirituals and hymns he grew up singing and strumming on his guitar. When his memories began to leave him, Temple, with Blanche, moved to Apex to be closer to their daughters. While he made that move with grace, the farm will always be the place that defines him and will live on with future generations. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Marshville United Methodist Church, 310 Ross St., Marshville, NC 28103, or Transitions Hospice Home, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607. Gordon Funeral Service Crematory is caring for the Hill family.