Reverend Joseph A. Hill

Reverend Joseph Allen Hill, 91 of Brighton Twp formerly of Patterson Heights passed away peacefully Friday, September 25, 2015.

Born January 29, 1924 in Patterson Heights, he was the seventh of eight children of the late George and May Fullerton Hill. A 1941graduate of New Brighton High School, he was a proud graduate of Geneva College in 1947, the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1950, the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he received his Th.M. degree in 1971 and had post graduate studies at the University of Denver, Calvin College and the University of Michigan.

Rev. Hill served in the Pacific Theater with the US Navy during WW II as an Aerographer’s mate on the troop transport USS Rockingham. He was ordained in 1952 and served Reformed Presbyterian congregations in Denver, CO, and in Walton, NY. He taught at Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, MI for eight years. In 1964 he returned to Beaver Valley to serve as an associate professor teaching biblical studies and classical Greek at Geneva College. After his retirement from teaching, he served regularly as an interim and supply pastor for numerous Presbyterian (USA) churches throughout Beaver County. He most recently served with the staff ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Beaver. His post-retirement publications include two books on John Calvin, “Grace and Its Fruits” and “Suffering: Understanding the Love of God”.

Rev. Hill was also active in his community serving in numerous capacities including having served as a former member of the Advisory Board of the New International Version of the Bible, was former President of Council, Borough of Patterson Heights, was a former member of the Board of Directors of Mental Health Association of Beaver County, was a former member of the Board of Corporators of Geneva College, and was a former Moderator of Permanent Judicial Commission, Synod of the Trinity, Presbyterian Church(USA).

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara Adams Hill, 2 sons, Dr. Robert A. (Cecelia) Hill, Colorado Springs, CO, John “Tim” (Bobbie) Hill, Col. (Ret.) USMC, Colorado Springs, CO, a daughter, Linda K. Hughes, Wilmington, VT, a sister, Marjorie (Willard) Harsh, Patterson Heights, 6 grandchildren, Trevor F. (Heather) Hill, Anne (Carl) DeCesare, Jonathan (Jessica) Hughes, Stephanie Schoville, Ashley (Andrew) Davis, Ryan (Alyssa) Hill, and 7 great grandchildren, Emily DeCesare, Ella Layne-Davis, Emery and Brennan Davis, Nathan Hill, Miles and Shane Hill and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also anxiously awaiting the birth of another great granddaughter.

Preceding him in death besides his parents were two grandchildren, Nathan Allen Hill, 1986, Megan Rebecca Hughes, 1991, 4 brothers, Raymond, Wilmer, Orrin and Kenneth Hill, and 2 sisters, Virginia Nahas and Kathryn Caskey.

Friends will be received Tuesday from 2:00 until 6:00 pm in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St, Beaver. A funeral service will be conducted Wednesday at 11:00 am in the First Presbyterian Church, Beaver by Reverend Jeffrey A. Arnold. Private entombment will follow at the Beaver Cemetery Mausoleum. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made if desired to the First Presbyterian Church, Beaver, 252 College Ave., Beaver, PA 15009.