James Coleman (Jim) Hill, 86, of Terre Haute, IN formerly of Martinsville, IL was granted his final wish on July 5, 2015. He was born September 23, 1928 in Warrensburg, IL to the Reverend John C. Hill and Matilda (Coleman) Hill. He was the youngest of 4 children and arrived on his brother’s 4th birthday. Jim left Martinsville, IL High School the middle of his senior year to go to work full-time to help support his parents after his father suffered injuries in an automobile accident.
Jim married his high school sweetheart, Judith Henley, in 1947 at her parent’s home in Martinsville, IL. They raised 4 children, Carol Sloan (Doug) of Terre Haute, IN, Jeff (Cyndy) of Ellicott City, MD, Carl of Farmersburg, IN, and Christy Lybass (David) of South Glastonbury, CT.
He moved his family to Terre Haute in 1952 to go to work for Adam’s Pontiac. He then worked for the next 29 years for Gerard Trucking Co. which later became known as Transport Motor Express.
Jim helped to form the Terre Haute Quarter Midget Association. He and his 2 sons were active at the local track from its beginning and continued to race there for many years. He served as the leader of Boy Scout Explorer Post #27 where he enjoyed mentoring young men in gaining automotive mechanical skills. Later in life, he shared his love of gospel music by singing in church, Eastern Star meetings, and at nursing homes in Jasonville and Linton.
He is a Past Master of Pimento Masonic Lodge #292, a Past Patron of Pimento Chapter #516, Order of the Eastern Star, and a former Shriner who received great fulfillment in transporting children and their families to the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis.
Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years and their 4 children, his grandchildren James C. Hill II, Renae Hill, Michael Lybass, Elizabeth Lybass, and Jason Sloan, as well as his sister Ruth Jodry of Casey, IL and brother-in-law Steve Hutson of Findlay, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William Hill and John (Junior) Hill, and infant granddaughter Anna Allen.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of West Terre Haute, 205 South 5th Street, West Terre Haute, IN 47885. The service will be conducted by Rev. Jeff Augustus. Memorial donations may be made to the church.
To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Greenwell Funeral Home of Martinsville, IL assisted the family with the arrangements.