Lawrence Hill

Lawrence Ray Hill passed away September 1, 2020 at the Garden Terrace Nursing home in Graham, Texas from complications of a stroke.  He was 84 years young.

A resident of Hobbs, NM for the last 35 years, he moved to Graham in September 2019 after his stroke to be closer to his children.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Lonnie and Loveta Drennan Hill, sister Joanne Hill Staggs, and a son Lance Allen Hill.

Survivors include two brothers, Roy “Buster” and Lex Hill of Hobbs, NM, four children; Rusty Bolf of Austin, TX; Terri Sauter of Carrollton, TX; Judy Showalter (Mike) of Hurst, TX and Mike Hill of Graham, TX, grandchildren; James Livers, Kyle Sauter, Kaleb Sauter, Taylor Hill, Ryan Showalter, Alex Showalter, Tanner Hill, Jessica Bolf Gould, Dustin Bolf and one great grandson Noah Gibson.  He has many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Lawrence was born on March 20, 1936 in Bakersfield, Texas to Lawrence and Loveta “Vete” Hill.  He graduated from Lamesa High School in 1954 and after graduation he was awarded a football scholarship at Hardin Simmons in Abilene, Texas where he played football and baseball.  He was drafted by the NY Giants his senior year to play football, at the same time he was drafted by the Army.  During his enlistment he grew in ranking to a Specialist 4 while playing football for the Army.  Lawrence is a Purple Heart recipient, finally receiving the distinguished recognition on December 12, 2018.  Most of his career was spent working for Firestone in Abilene, Austin and the Houston area.  After Lawrence retired from the truck tire business he relocated to Ruidoso, NM where he owned and operated several restaurants.  Lawrence sold his restaurants traveled a bit and eventually returned to his beloved Hobbs,  New Mexico, or as he would say “Hobbs America”.

Lawrence loved riding his Harley Davidson and went on many road trips with his brothers and friends before a motorcycle accident ended his riding days.  He enjoyed playing golf, cards (although some would say he cheated) and was an avid sports fan.  While living in Houston Lawrence obtained his pilot’s license where he enjoyed flying Cessna’s among other types of small planes.

Lawrence was a member of the Moose Lodge and Men of the Lions

The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and care givers at Garden Terrace and Beyond Faith Hospice, where he charmed and irritated the staff.