Joseph N. Hill, Jr.

OBITUARY

OF

SMSGT JOSEPH N. HILL, JR.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith..

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Senior Master Sergeant (SMSGT) Joseph N. Hill, Jr.transitioned to eternal life on August 2, 2025 in Suffolk, Virginia. Affectionately known as “Joe Joe,” he was regarded as a “man for all seasons.”  During the Spring Season of his life, he was born on February 11, 1942 to Joseph N. Hill, Senior, and Mary Lou Wiggins of Norfolk, Virginia.  After “Joe Joe’s father suddenly died, his mother married William M. Isaac of Baltimore, a World War I veteran. With this union, he was raised in a home filled with love, where he learned household chores, participated in Boy Scouts, attended Baptist Sunday School (and any other denomination), and Vacation Bible School. Moreover, he enjoyed the street sports of roller skating and softball as part of his development.  Discipline and hard work helped to establish his reputation when he and his brother, Anthony, became well-known “Colored” newspaper boys. The importance of teamwork and the art of selling became apparent as Anthony, the younger sibling, begin to develop strategies which increased sales and won them trips to Washington, D.C.,New York, and Miami.  These trips, which were sponsored by the infamous and Pulitzer Prize-winning, Virginian Pilot-Norfolk Ledger Dispatch, may have been their introduction to integration.

Following graduation from Booker T. Washington High School, he began the Summer Season of his life.  This season included his enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, where he began developing his distinguished military career, and his marriage to the late Helen Umbles of Sedalia, Missouri. To her family of four children, they lamented the birth of  twins,  Rima and Byron, and mourned the death of Baby Marlon Anthony.   

The Fall Season emerged with themes of extensive military travel to foreign lands, advancement in rank, technical skills,and leadership development, absence from family,  andincreased global connections.  In this season, he married Maurine White of Wichita Falls, Texas. To this union, they welcomed Patrick White.

With twenty – eight years of military service, the Winter Season initially presented  retirement as well as time to pursue his passion for a junk yard scavenger. He embraced his care-taking joys by caring for a partner and numerous military buddies.

In sum, Joseph N. Hill, Jr., a man for all seasons, died on August 2, 2025. We give thanks for his life of service.  In 1989, he was  awarded. The Meritorious Service Medal.  Posthumously,The Presidential Memorial Certificate. 

He was preceded in death by a son, Baby Marlon Anthony and his parents Mary Wiggins Isaac and Joseph Nathan Hill Sr . Survivors include his brothers, Dr. Anthony L. Hill (Audrey), C. Matt Isaac, and a sister,  Dr. Beryle I. Baker. Also, Anthony L. Hill, Jr., Monica Hill, and Yette Isaac, Jerome Baker (Teressa),  Michael and Gabriel Baker, Amina Baker Borerro-Foley, Anissa Borerro, Manuel Borrero, Marisol Borrero, and Marissa Borerro.

He leaves to cherish his memories his children; Byron Umbles of Augusta, Georgia  , Rima (Howard)  Umbles – Dickson of Sedalia, Missouri grandsons Tremayne (Hilary), Rashawn, and Hakeem . Patrick (Michelle) White and grandsons, Jordan and Austin Hill of Jacksonville, Florida. 

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025  Services will be held at 1:00 pm graveside.  Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6309 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk, Virginia 23502

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org) Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.