William J. "Billy" Hill

William Jennings Hill, known to all as “Billy,” a fifth-generation Cherokee Countian, was born in Canton, Georgia, on February 16, 1949, and departed this life for the streets of Glory on August 6, 2025, after a brief illness, at his home in the Free Home community.

The poet Sophocles wrote, “Man must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.” From the vantage point of the evening of Billy Hill’s life, we can say that the day has been splendid, indeed. We often speak about what happens “between the dashes” on a headstone—what someone did with their time on this side of Heaven. Billy lived fully in his 76 years. From the viewpoint of his family, a host of friends, hundreds of former employees, business contacts around the globe, and fellow church members, his was a life well lived.

Billy was the second son of the late Carl James Holland Hill and Hazel Reinhardt Hill. He proudly graduated from Cherokee High School in 1967 and later attended North Georgia Technical Institute in Clarkesville, where he studied machine tools.

In 1969, Billy joined his father, Carl—a pioneer in the automation of the poultry industry and holder of 29 United States and international patents—at Hill & Sons, Inc., bringing Carl’s inventions to life as a machinist. Stories from his years in the machine shop were some of Billy’s favorites and where he met trusted colleagues such as Phil Foster and Tony Wilkie, who served as key members of his team for decades. After Carl’s unexpected passing in 1981, 32-year-old Billy stepped into leadership and was granted several United States Patents of his own on poultry processing equipment. Together with his loyal and talented brother, Jerald, he transformed the company into the nation’s largest aftermarket replacement parts supplier for the poultry industry. Billy loved getting to know his customers, many of whom became lifelong friends. On customer visits, his reputation always preceded him—he was met with admiration and respect, which he never took for granted. His goal was simple: make sure every customer was glad they had done business with Hill Parts. For years, the company was the second-largest private employer in Cherokee County, behind Walmart. Respected in the business community, Billy treated employees, vendors, and customers the way he wanted to be treated—with fairness and dignity.

In 2004, Billy and Jerald sold the business to one of the world’s largest poultry equipment manufacturers. Billy continued in a leadership role until 2007. Retirement, however, never suited him. In 2013, he founded ProEdge Sharpener, LLC, where he invented, designed, and sold a premier line of stainless steel blade sharpening equipment. Billy was delighted that his son, Seth, joined him in running ProEdge Sharpener. Today, over 400 of his sharpening machines are in use at facilities internationally, with more to come. Inventing wasn’t just Billy’s work—it brought him joy. He approached every project with excellence and unwavering integrity. His word was his bond. If something needed fixing, he fixed it. For Billy, the customer was always right.

His integrity and humility were guiding principles passed down to his sons and grandchildren. Phrases like “On time is late,” “Do it right the first time,” “Say the things that need to be said,” and “Treat others as you want to be treated” were not just sayings—they were lessons lived and taught with love. Quietly, without seeking recognition, he co-signed loans for employees, paid off funeral debts for loved ones, and gave generously to causes that mattered. He had a knack for turning members of his work team into lifelong friends—something so very rare. His giving spirit didn’t go unnoticed by the two boys he raised—both of whom now operate their own businesses, striving to follow their father’s example in all they do.

Billy fiercely loved his wife of 55 years, Joan. They met on a blind date in February 1969 and married on October 26 of that year. Together they built a home, businesses, and a family. In 1978 and 1980, they welcomed their sons, Cleve and Seth. Billy was a devoted father, attending ball games, practices, theatre and choral performances, speeches, and college and law school events. He made sure both sons received a college education—and Cleve, a law degree—making them the first in the family to achieve such milestones. Their success was a quiet source of pride for a man who otherwise never sought the spotlight.

Most importantly, Billy accepted Christ as his Savior the same night his older brother, Jimmy, was saved. That faith remained a wellspring of strength and peace throughout his life. A gifted tenor from a musically talented family, Billy sang from childhood—at church, funerals, singing schools, and as a proud member of the Cherokee High Red Coats. He was frequently asked to sing “Beulah Land” and his signature hymn, “How Great Thou Art.” His voice was a blessing to everyone and will be deeply missed. His time in the adult choir at Hightower Baptist Church brought him many happy moments and lifelong friendships. He was an active member of Hightower Baptist Church, which he joined in 1987, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School Superintendent for the church, and later became an ordained deacon. He cherished his friendships with his fellow deacons, and his two pastors in all those years, Rev. Gerral Richards and Rev. Ronnie McCormick—the two men of God who will conduct his funeral and whom he respected.

Strong, calm, patriotic, and kind, Billy faced life’s challenges with peace, resolve, and compassion. In business negotiations, he could be as tough as nails—though that, too, was done with humor and strategy. His laughter was legendary—an entire experience—loud, tear-inducing, and contagious. His sons loved hearing his stories of childhood adventures and fishing trips with Papa Reinhardt and his uncles, especially the tale lovingly referred to as “Uncle Donald the Electric Eel,” which even 60 years after its occurrence would send him back in time and the laughter just as fresh. In recent years, he cherished working alongside his dear childhood friend, Doug Watts, building his sharpening machines. Many joyful hours were spent in Doug’s shop, and the family is deeply grateful for Doug’s enduring friendship with Dad—this second chapter of his career was far richer because of Doug.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, son, John Cleveland “Cleve” Hill, Esq., and his wife Allie; son, Benjamin Seth Hill, and his wife Lori, and five grandchildren, Olivia Reinhardt Hill, Benjamin Holland Hill, Hazel Frances Hill, Avery Carson Green, and Lyla Ann Green. He is also survived by his faithful brother, Jerald Reinhardt Hill, and his wife, Sarah Hughes Hill. Billy was loved by his sisters-in-law, Sheila Dean and husband Johnny Dean, and Pam Millsapp, and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Lastly, but not least, we would be remiss not to mention his beloved miniature poodle, Cupcake, who brought him such love and joy over the last 14 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Hazel, brother James Terry “Jimmy” Hill, grandparents John Cleveland Hill, Ollie Blanton Hill, and Dilmus Sherward Reinhardt and Pearl Cline Reinhardt, his in-laws, James Ernest Key and Cellie Claudia Key, and many beloved aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, and cousins.

How do you close the obituary of a good man? It’s not easy—because the prayers he laid up for us continue, the blessings endure, and he lives on, just beyond the veil, in the presence of his Savior, his beloved parents, and the many friends who welcomed him home—exactly where he longed to be.

And so, we close with deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived. We praise God for the life of William Jennings Hill.

We’ll see you over there, Dad—and we won’t be late. Because God is always on time.

South Canton Funeral Home, dedicated to the families we serve, 770-479-3377. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.thescfh.com