William E. Hill, Jr. ’46 died on June 4, 2010, in Topsham, Maine.
(The following was provided by The Republican-American on June 8, 2010)
William E. Hill, Jr. ’46
TOPSHAM, Maine — On June 4, 2010, William Edward Hill Jr. passed away peacefully at his home at the Highlands in Topsham. He had recently been mourning the loss of his beloved wife, Mary, who had died March 18, 2010.
“Doc,” as he affectionately became known, was born on Oct. 28, 1923, in Waterbury, Conn., the eldest son of Louise (Robinson) and William E. Hill Sr. His education included Governor Dummer Academy, where he graduated cum laude, Bowdoin College (1946) and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. (1952). His Bowdoin education was interrupted by World War II when he served in the 45th Infantry with the 14th Armored Division, participating in the 3rd Army before the Battle of the Bulge. A period of time was spent at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
After joining his father in his Naugatuck, Conn., medical office, Bill went on to develop his own practice with passionate care and kindness for generations of families for thirty-six years. To this day, many of these former patients and their families remained in contact with him. In addition to serving as physician to eight industrial and electrical companies, Dr. Hill held a.m. and p.m. office hours and was often seen carrying his doctor’s bag on numerous house calls, which he felt was an essential part of his practice. He maintained an affiliation with both Waterbury and Saint Mary’s hospitals throughout his practice.
Retirement in 1988 allowed both Mary and Bill more time to spend at their family cottage at Popham Beach, Maine. During this time, he also fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a Downeast lobster boat style cruiser which he thoroughly enjoyed for a number of years, cruising from Boston Harbor to Roque Island, Maine, and points in between.
Twelve years ago they determined they were “too young to move to Florida,” so in 1998 they purchased a home at the Highlands in Topsham where Bill became involved as a member of the activities committee and assistant to the plumber as new homes were constructed. Both Bill and Mary spent many volunteer hours together at MidCoast Hospital and the Maine Maritime Museum. In addition, he was for many years a board member of the Friends of Seguin, Popham Boat Owners Association, and the Popham Chapel. He maintained his associations with the New Haven County Medical Association, AMA, and Waterbury Hospital.
Dr. Hill is survived by his three daughters, Susan Beaman and her husband, Fred, of Georgetown, Maine, Mary Lou Fay and her husband, Richard, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Jennifer Couture of Vernon, Conn.; a brother, Robert C. Hill, and his wife, Mary Cay, of Naugatuck, Conn.; his five loving grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews gave him great pleasure, Julie F. Simmons, Erin F. Reinhardt, Laura Fay, Daniel Couture, Sarah Couture, and Carson and Hannah Simmons. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary, of sixty-two years, and his sister, Virginia Hill.