Hulon Clive Hill

Hulon Clive Hill, 93, of Kannapolis, NC died April 7, 2011 under the care of Hospice with his loving wife Mildred by his side. Hulon was born in Concord, NC on May 21, 1917 to Pinkney and Annie Hargett Hill. After his parents' divorce and his mother's remarriage, he moved with his family to Iredell County where Hulon was raised by his mother and stepfather, Mr. Goins. It was there, working on the family farm that he established his lifelong work ethic and dogged determination to always do a job completely and well. In 1940 Hulon married Matie Plyler Hill, and it was around this time he began his long career with Cannon Mills in Kannapolis as a machine "fixer" in the sheet packaging department. An entrepreneur and innovator before those labels were in vogue; Hulon developed two patents for Cannon and established Hill's Garage, repairing automobiles in the afternoon and evening after finishing his shift at the mill. Known to his customers as Hill, he had a reputation for doing what needed to be done, without cutting corners or taking advantage of anyone. Over the years, he served not only as boss, but as friend and mentor to a number of young men he hired to help at the garage. An aficionado of all things mechanical, Hulon especially loved cars. A collector of Corvairs and ardent fan of NASCAR, he started his only child Hulene on her path to becoming a successful CPA by teaching her to keep lap standings during races as well as having her help with the inventory and billing for Hill's Garage. After retiring from Cannon at the age of 64, Hulon bought a variety of equipment and began a business mowing lawns and maintaining properties, including rental property he accumulated and continued to manage until he reached his 90's. A long time member of North Kannapolis Baptist Church, Hulon lived a life of faith by example and actions. His wife Matie died in 1993 after 53 years of marriage, and in 2002 Hulon married Mildred Wentz Hill, who survives him. In addition to his first wife, Hulon is predeceased by his parents, sister, brother and three half brothers. Along with Mildred, he is survived by his daughter Hulene Dian Hill and her husband Ed Adkins of Chapel Hill; grandson Daren Starnes and wife Judy of Princeton, NJ and Judy's three sons, their wives and children; and Mildred's daughters Joy Wentz and husband Buford Crites of Concord and Sarah Wentz Cooper of Tennessee and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 15, 2011, at 2:00 pm at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel.