Maurice Gene "Babe" Hill, 94, of Du Quoin, passed away at 1:49 P.M., Thursday, July 1, 2021 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.
Babe had retired from Blue Bell Packing Company, where he worked in sales from 1947 until 1975. He was owner and operator of Hills Fashions of Du Quoin from 1972 until 1995. Babe was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin. He was a United States Army veteran of World War II. Babe was a member of the Du Quoin American Legion, Du Quoin Elks Lodge, Du Quoin Retail Merchants and Du Quoin Business Association. He served for twenty-three years on the Du Quoin Police/Fire Merit Board and nineteen years on the Perry County Housing Authority Board.
He was born August 12, 1926 at Du Quoin, IL, the son of Walter A. "Dig" and Vera D. (Norman) Hill.
He married Dorothy L. Bookstaver in 1947 at Du Quoin, IL and she preceded him in death in 1988. He then married Renetta (Lambert) Hamilton on April 30, 1994 at Du Quoin, IL and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, two sons - Norman Hill and wife Carole and Charles "Cha" Hill and wife Debbie, all of Du Quoin, three step daughters - Chalene Hale and husband Josh of Du Quoin, Tennille Wanner and husband Kevin of Terre Haute, IN, and Heather Harsy and husband Darren of Du Quoin, sixteen grandchildren - Trent (Kerri) Hill, Aaron (Megan) Hill, Adam (Amy) Hill, Ashley (Haven) Hicks, Nick (Alicia) Hill, A.J. (Sasha) Hill, Logan (Rachel) Whitley, Reagan Whitley, Dayton Hamilton, Layla Hamilton, Dawson Harsy, Aubree Harsy, Mackenzi Hale, Coalton Hemmings, Jaxson Wanner, and Carson Wanner, and thirteen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, three brothers - Norman A. Hill, James D. Hill, and Charles W. Hill, one sister - Eloise Dintelman, and one step son - Larry Travis Hamilton.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Dan McKinnies officiating.
Friends may call from 9 A.M. until the time of service on Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the Army National Guard.
Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to the Du Quoin American Legion Honor Guard or This Able Veteran and will be accepted at the funeral home.