Roosevelt twin called ‘good ole boy’

Charley Elbert “Dude” Hill was a “good ole boy,” according to his twin brother and friend, Harley Delbert “Pug” Hill of Portales.

Charley and Harley lived in the Roosevelt County community for 74 years. They worked together on the farm, driving tractors and established a dirt moving and land leveling business. It brings a laugh to older brother A.C. “Bud” Hill when he begins to talk about their nicknames.

“We came up with some funny names for each other,” A.C. said. “We’ve had those nicknames since we were kids. We always called Will by Bill and it was always easy to say his name. Bill Hill.”

Charley Hill died at the age of 79 on Aug. 23 at the Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.

“We were the youngest two of the family,” Harley said about the sets of twins in his family. “There were eight of us. We had two of our brothers pass away. He always kept busy even after he retired. He would work around the house.”

Ruth Gibbs is the oldest of the group and she is currently living in Clovis, while Will “Bill” Hill is living in Jal.

Charley Hill joined the Navy in 1943 and served until 1946. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Portales. Charley kept busy fixing old cars and pickups around the house.

“He’s a good fellow,” A.C. recalls. “He never hurt or bothered anybody. He had a lot of friends.”

Charley Hill was born on Jan. 3, 1924 in Maud, Texas to Effie and Charley Hill. He was one of two sets of twins. He married Betty Jo Carlisle on May 29, 1954, in Roswell.

“He enjoyed the time he spent with his kids,” Harley Hill said. “Especially the time he spent with his grandson.”

Charley Hill’s daughters are Sandy Wells and Effie Weingart and his grandson, Scott Wells. Scott, or Scottie as he’s known by some of his friends, played basketball at Portales High School and graduated from Eastern New Mexico University.

“He was always there for her, when she needed him,” A.C. Hill said. “They (daughters) could always count on him.”

Charley Hill was preceded by death by two brothers, Melvin Seim Hill and Hardy Hill. Betty Jo died on April 17, 1995.