Israel Hills

Mr. Israel “Tip” Hills was born on August 1, 1932 in Orangeburg, SC., to Rufus and Louise (Carson) Hills, one of eleven children. He left home at a young age to work and help support his family. His work took him to many areas of South Carolina, Maryland and finally New York where he reconnected with the girl that he vowed to marry in early childhood, Arrie “Vickie” Keitt. They married on July 10, 1956 and the union was blessed with four children. As a family man he took any work needed to care for his own.
Israel worked on countless jobs including driveways and sidewalks work and just a few companies that he worked for were Blackhawk Construction in NY, Ethel cooperation, Eastman Kodak and T.I.C. in S.C. He even had his own company for a time, CarrHill Construction.
A little-known fact about Israel is that he used to sing at night clubs in New York and could often write songs often on the spot!. In addition to his love of music was fishing which was therapeutic for him and a means to instill insightful words of wisdom to his grandchildren. Israel was a little man with a huge personality and a sense of humor. If he had an opinion, he was not afraid to share it with ANYONE!
Israel’s most defining quality was his love for Jehovah. His life of service to his God began with his baptism in August of 1965 with his wife Vickie. He did his very best to teach all in his family about God and the Messianic Kingdom. Israel loved people and wanted all to share in the same hope he held so dearly. He admitted loud and often to being imperfect but despite that, if you had a pulse, he was telling you about Jehovah. Down to his dying days he was known to greet caregivers with “I’d like to introduce you to God’s Kingdom.”
Israel served as a Ministerial Servant with the South- east Orangeburg Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness- es, he served his spiritual family, by giving talks and also assisting at Circuit and Regional events. One of his beloved privileges was using his construction skills for Jehovah through the former RBC (Regional Building Committee) program. He dedicated over 20 years on countless building projects, including this Kingdom Hall.
He is survived by his two sisters: Mildred Jenkins and Margaret Lamar; his children: Maude Hills, Anthony Hills and his wife Mena, Beverly Dunning and her husband Joseph; grandchildren including: Crystal Hills, Chevawn Hills, Chiona Jenkins (Quinton), Tempest Kelly (Rashad), Sumiko Murdock (TaSean), Domonique Bryant (William), Quentin Hills, Adrian Hills, Joshua Dunning, Abigail Perry (Brandon), Kara Lee-DeLoatch, Devin Hills (Amanda), Jonah Pierre; fifteen great-grand children and counting and a plethora of nieces and nephews and extended family.
Israel was predeceased by his wife: Arrie “Vickie” Hills; his parents: Rufus and Louise; his five brothers: David, Samuel, his twin Paul, Andrew and James Hills; three sisters: Mary Hills, Rebekah Bonapart, Ordell McMillan and son Gregory Hills.

The services will proceed as follows:

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Kingdom Hall of Jehova Witnesses located at 1330 Ridgewood Dr in Orangeburg, South Carolina beginning at 12:00pm. 

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