Sterling Joe Hill, 63, of Blanket, died on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Hendrick Medical Center South in Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 7, at Brownwood Evangelism Center, 2515 Avenue D., with Rev. Kenneth Colegrove officiating. Interment will follow at Rock Church Cemetery in Blanket. Family will receive friends Tuesday, February 6, from 6:00-8:00 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early.
Sterling Joe Hill was born to Joe Clifford Hill and Tressa E. Cowan on June 29, 1960 in Brownwood. He married Mary Lea Reynolds, February 14, 1981, in Brownwood. This year they were to be married 43 years. He was an employee for Kohler Company of Brownwood for over 40 years.
Sterling came into this world just as he left—a fighter. He was met with many challenges in his life, including the death of a son and grandson. At age 45 he was diagnosed with a chronic form of leukemia, and pretty much had that battle conquered, until he was diagnosed with a very rare cancer of the sweat gland in 2022.
He was a 1978 graduate of Blanket High School. In high school he rode bulls in the FFA rodeos, and played football. He and his sister Tammy were chosen as Mr. Football and Football Sweetheart together, a special memory they would always share. He lived his life to the fullest whether it was fishing the Llano River or Lake Brownwood with his brother in laws Brian Mackey and Steve Reynolds. He enjoyed cooking competitions, playing the harmonica, and he loved his Dallas Cowboys, win or lose. But, his family is what brought him the most joy. He honored and loved his mother with all his heart. Whatever needed to be fixed around her home, especially plumbing, he took care of it. He was always willing to help someone when they were down on their luck, and never expected any return. He loved his Blanket community and his country, always honoring and respecting the US and Texas flag in display and removal. And he made sure his mom had flags flying at her home too. He was an avid U.S. and Texas History buff and could talk for hours on the subject. Sterling loved Jesus and his Church and loved to hear the old-time gospel music. On November 12, 2023 he renewed his relationship with his Lord. While we are devastated by his loss, we know the Angels rejoiced when he entered the Kingdom of Heaven.
Survivors include his mother, Tressa Finnigan of Brownwood; wife, Mary; children; Tasha Harris and her husband Bobby of Pflugerville; Son, Chance Hill, and his wife, Victoria of Lake Brownwood; grandchildren, Keyleigh, Ashtyn, Leland “Chico” Harris, and Brody Harris, Sterling Lane Hill and Rylee Coulter; sisters, Tammy Mackey and her husband Brian of Brooksmith, Rhonda Hill of Brownwood, and Wanda Sarhan (Saeed) of Austin; brothers, Doug Finnigan (Lisa) of Abilene, Derick Finnigan and his wife Karen; and Wendell Hood (Lauren) of Baytown, Texas; brother-in-law Steve Reynolds and his wife Rosana; his aunt, June Gresham McGuire, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, who were all very close to their “Uncle Sterling”; and of course, his beloved dog Woodrow; close friends who were like brothers to him; Darrell Goins of Zephyr, Larry Watkins of Bangs, and his childhood and lifelong friend Travis Bundick of Blanket; his Kohler family and friends with whom he spent over half of his life working together; Billy Wade, Mary Koetting-Falconer and his supervisor, Tommy Beard.
He was proceeded in death by his father, Joe C. Hill, and stepmother, Bettie; son Justin McKane Hill; grandson, Sterling James Harris; stepfather, Joe Dan Finnigan; brothers, Darrell Hood, Wayland Hood and Wayne Hood; grandparents Sterling and Virgie (Long) Cowan of Brownwood, and Myrtle (Robison) Heptinstall of Blanket.
In Lieu of flowers the family suggests making a donation to the Blanket Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 72, Blanket, Texas; Saint Jude’s Hospital or Good Samaritan Ministries.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net