RUSSELLVILLE — William Truman Hill,
76, of Russellville, died Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home. The son of Truman Hill and Wanda Geraldine (Coffman) Hill, he was born March 10, 1943, in Russellville. He married Maria Jan (Hogan) Hill on August 28, 1964, in Russellville. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Rita Gail Hill; and a brother-in-law, Glenn May.
Truman was a proud member of the graduating Class of 1961 from Russellville High School. He went on to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Arkansas Tech University in 1970. He retired as part of the Production Management Team at Firestone in Russellville after 35 years, then started a new career as an independent insurance agent in the health care industry for another 13 years.
Truman was very proud of his college and loved upholding the time-honored traditions of the university, and his associations, activities and events with other ATU alumni. He worked diligently in furthering both the mission and goals of his beloved Alma Mater. He served enthusiastically on the Arkansas Tech University Alumni Board from 2012-2014, serving as President in 2015, and was a faithful member of the Green & Gold Club. He chaired the committee to induct the 1992 and 1993 National Championship Golden Suns basketball teams into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Truman served on the ATU Alumni Scholarship Committee and secured the donor who served as the anchor for matching contributions to the “Fight On” fund. For many years, he volunteered for the annual “Breakfast During Finals” program for students & faculty on campus. In 2019, Truman was inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction.
Not to be undone, he was equally proud to be a RHS Cyclone Alumni. He founded the Russellville High School “Night of Champions,” served as President of the RHS Athletic Hall of Fame committee, and was a member of “The Center for the Arts” Foundation Board.
He was named Arkansas’ “Outstanding Friend of Adult Education” in 2002, received the 2008 “Partners in Excellence” award from Russellville High School, the “Cyclone Volunteer Service” award in 2013, and Russellville’s Center for the Arts “Volunteer of the Year” award in 2015. He was proud to be born & raised in Russellville and honored to make his community his life’s work.
Truman is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maria Jan Hill, who also served the Russellville School District as a teacher throughout her career; two daughters, Alice Ann Calhoun (Rob) of Conway; and, Nancy Dyer (Andre) of Little Rock; two sisters, Betty Mackey (William Earl) of Russellville; and Sue May of Pottsville; two granddaughters, Margaret Calhoun of Nashville, Tenn.; and Amelia Calhoun of Denton, Texas; a brother-inlaw, Mike Hogan (Anna) of Honolulu, Hawaii; and many other nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family encourages memorial gifts to be made in Truman’s honor to: ATU Foundation Alumni Scholarship Fund, c/o Arkansas Tech Office of Advancement, Administration Building, Room 209, 1509 North Boulder, Russellville, Ark. 72801; or, RHS Community Scholarship Fund, Russellville School District, 220 West 10th Street, Russellville, Ark. 72801; or, Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Lane, Russellville, Ark. 72801.
Cremation and memorial service arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. A memorial celebration honoring Truman’s life will be held at 1 p.m., on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at The Center for the Arts on the campus of Russellville High School. Mr. Dan Lightfoot will officiate the service, and other noted speakers will include family and friends. The family will greet friends in the Center lobby following the service. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.
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