Lloyd Rodney Hill

Feb. 12, 1951 – March 11, 2015

 

Rodney Hill hated cucumbers with a passion, but then again, Rodney was passionate about a lot of things: his family, his friends, playing music, 1980s-era Broncos, boats and being on the water. He was especially passionate about enjoying life.

Rodney was born on Feb. 12, 1951, and was raised in Ayden. He made his home on the Pamlico River in Washington on his beloved boats, the Stephanie D and Slipformer.

Rodney served as dockmaster at Carolina Winds Marina and his beat-up Bronco wore the bumpersticker to prove it: “Have you hugged your dockmaster today?” Over the years, Rodney became known as the welcoming party, the one you could count on and the guy who could fix just about anything. Everyone on the river knew he could dock a boat like nobody’s business. Rodney was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who had a problem, whether it was with a cranky engine or properly tying a line. He was generous that way. He was also funny and sweet, at times ornery and stubborn, and always smart and talented.

Rodney loved to play music, and it was the music of Motown that was imprinted on his soul at a very young age. He loved nothing better than hanging out with his friends, playing guitar and bass, singing gritty renditions of “Take Me to the River” or “Fooled Around and Fell In Love,” with some “Stormy Monday” thrown in for good measure. He was a storyteller, one who was always up for an adventure, except when it came to food — he knew what he liked and stuck with it.

He never gave up: not on a mechanical problem (he’d just shrug his shoulders and say, “Well, it is what it is,” and start over again), not on life and especially not on love — he was a romantic at heart. Even though he lost his battle with cancer on March 11, he never gave up.

Rodney loved, and is survived by, his daughter, Stephanie Hill Warren, his son-in-law Lee, and his grandchildren Aubrey and Luke, all of Farmville; his companion, Deni Graves, of Murphy, and her children, Beth Leeper and Billy Wilson. He is also survived by his sisters, Debbie Bostic (Gary) and Patricia Zoeller, and a sister-in-law, Jane Fox, as well as multiple nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Simmons and Hellen Hill, his brother Johnny Hill and his sister Janice Landmark.
Rodney had countless friends and he was never afraid to share how much he loved and appreciated them. He was loved just as much in return.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Reedy Branch OFWB Church, 4457 Reedy Branch Road, Winterville, immediately followed by visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society or Reedy Branch OFWB Church.

Fair winds, Capt. Rod. You will not be forgotten.