James Baker (Jim) Hill

James (Jim) Baker Hill passed away on December 11, 2013 in Nashville, Arkansas. He was born in Nashville and loved his hometown until his death. He attended Nashville High School, the University of Arkansas and received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Henderson State University. Hill married Charlotte Byrd of Gurdon in 1968. He was the proud father to Jenifer Hill Kendrick (Conway) and Allison Hill Worthen (Little Rock) and loved his sons-in-law Greg Kendrick (Conway) and Phillip Worthen (Little Rock) as if they were his own. His greatest joy without question was spending time with his beloved grandchildren Baker Kendrick, Caroline Worthen, Audrey Kendrick, Will Worthen and Ellen Kendrick. Mr. Hill is survived by these beloved family members, as well as his brother John Hill of Texarkana, and sister Ree Hill Cunningham of Springdale. He was predeceased by his parents, J. B and Faustine Hill of Nashville, and sister Virginia Ann Andres of Texarkana. Hill served his country as a United States Marine for seven years before becoming a cattle rancher and timber producer in Howard County. Mr. Hill was a member of First Baptist Church in Nashville, his local Kiwanis club, and served numerous civic organizations in his town and surrounding counties. An active member of the Cattleman's Association, he served his community and state as the President of the Cattlemen's Association for the State of Arkansas, and later proudly served on the National Beef Council. Jim Hill was dedicated to the service of his community and state. Hill felt called to run for office to serve his community earlier in his life, but expressed that a "man's primary job is to be a good daddy" and that he didn't want to serve on Capitol Hill his girls went to college. Hill was elected to represent his district in the House of Representatives in 1993-1996 and moved on to the Senate in 1996-2009. He was elected by his Senate colleagues to be the President Pro Tem of the Senate for the 84th General Assembly in 2003. As a member of the House, he was a chief House sponsor of the conservation tax that help funds the Game and Fish Commission and the Parks and Tourism Department. He was inducted into the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Hall of Fame in 2007. Hill was active in raising funds for diagnosing and treatment of prostate cancer and served on the Arkansas Prostrate Cancer Foundation Board of Directors. He received the organization's prestigious award for outstanding service. He presides as a War Memorial Commissioner. Hill has proudly served the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope as an active member of a guiding board. He served Arkansas as a Board of Director for the Arkansas State Fair. Mr. Hill was proudest of being named Nashville's "Man of the Year" in 2009. A funeral service to honor Jim Hill will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Nashville, Arkansas. A visitation will be held at Latimer Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00, Friday, December 13, 2013. Burial will follow the funeral at Nashville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to any of Mr. Hill's favorite charities including Soaring Wings Ranch, Nashville City Parks, Nashville First Baptist Church. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James (Jim) Baker Hill please visit our Sympathy Store.