Daris “Gene” Hill, of Forrester, Oklahoma was born at home in Blackfork, Arkansas on May 14, 1946 to Herman and Julia Hill. He finished his race on Thursday, April 4, 2024. He was 77 years old.
He married the love of his life Linda (Pottridge) Hill in 1965. Gene served in the U.S. Army overseas and returned to a career as a telephone technician for the Heavener area for over 40 years. After retirement he continued running their cattle operation. Gene and Linda served the Lord in music ministry for 30 years in a southern gospel group called The Master’s Family. He was a long time member of the Bates First Assembly of God church and served as a Trustee for many years.
Gene is survived by his daughter LeAnn (Hill) Atchley and husband Paul of Waldron, Arkansas and his son Doug Hill and wife Lori of Heavener, Oklahoma. Five grandsons: Garrett (Janie) Atchley of Waldron, Arkansas; Chasten (Kelsey) Hill of Cameron, Oklahoma, Josh (Kristen) Atchley of Waldron, Arkansas; Jarrod Hill of Heavener, Oklahoma and Tanner Hill of Poteau, Oklahoma. Two granddaughters: Cyndi (Eric) Leatherwood of Howe, Oklahoma and Heather Rasberry of Spiro, Oklahoma. PaPa Gene left behind 15 great grandchildren: Judd, Jace, Dathan, Saylor, Berklee, Sawyer, Drake, Knox, Kyah, Logan, Wade, Lukas, Reya, Rhett, and Joshlyn.
Gene is also survived by three sisters: Stella Benjamin and Sue Carter of Mena, Arkansas and Brenda (Danny) Reel of Bates, Arkansas; two brothers Daryl (Tina) Hill of Heavener, Oklahoma and Jeff Hill of Clarksville, Arkansas. Brothers-in-laws: Don Powell of Mena, Arkansas and Gary (Ann) Pottridge of Bates, Arkansas. He is also survived by his very special blessing Erma Dean Weaver of Howe, Oklahoma.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; his parents, Herman and Julia Hill, and five siblings: Wanda Callahan, Billy Hill, Patsy Powell, Larry Hill, and Kay Harvey.
Gene’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the Bates First Assembly of God Church in Bates, Arkansas with Bro. Mark Ward officiating. Interment will follow in the Gipson Cemetery in Bates, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Gene’s pallbearers will be Garrett Atchley, Chasten Hill, Josh Atchley, Jarrod Hill, Tanner Hill, and Jerod Nix.
Gene’s visitation will be on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.
