The Eastern New Mexico News - Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

JAMES HILL

Services: Have been held.

Mr. James L. “Jim” Hill, 72, of Portales, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at Covenant Lakeside Hospital in Lubbock.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1930, in Kerns, Texas, to Mittie and Ernest Hill.

His professional career began in 1948 as an apprentice lineman with Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative (RCEC). After serving with several New Mexico Rural Electric Association Co-ops, his 42 year career culminated in 1991 when he retired from RCEC as operations manager. He and his wife owned and operated Don Diego’s Mexican Restaurant, J&J Industries equipment brokerage and Powerline, Inc. He founded and performed in several country and western dance bands including the New Mexico Playboys, Aggie Ramblers, Boot Hill Boys and Hill Country. He wrote countless songs and made over 28 recordings.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Janel of Portales; two sons, Johnny Ray Hill of Martinez, Ga. and John Wayne Hill (and wife, Susie) of Nashville, Tenn.; two daughters, Julie Ann Green of San Angelo, Texas and Debra Egan of Radford, Va.; three grandsons, John-Ashley Hill, Dustin Tyler Hill-Green and Colton James Hill; two sisters, Betty Ray (Melvin) of Portales and Bess Martin (Bob) of Lubbock; and two brothers, Don Hill (Marilyn) and Gene Hill (Betty Mae) all of Deming.

Kenneth Broad and Scott Reeves will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Randy Mitchell, Jorge Najera, Alejandro Jimenez, Tracy Teal, Bobby Shiplett and Warren Ray will serve as pallbearers.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.