Chief Master Sergeant James Wesley Hill was born April 9, 1936 in Sledge, MS. James was an only child to his parents, Arthur and Gladys Hill. He graduated from Sledge High School in 1954 and joined the U.S. Air Force later that year.

During his 30-year career, James achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force and the top one percent of all Air Force personnel. His expertise was primarily in the Supply and Logistics career fields. Chief Hill also served our nation for two and a half years in Vietnam.

During his distinguished career, Chief Hill received numerous citations, medals, campaign ribbons, and awards. His accomplishments included the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Good Conduct Medal with Service Loop, the National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Silver and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with one Silver and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Chief Hill received several degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, including an Associate's Degree in Applied Science Material Management in 1983. The Chief also attended Bellevue College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in June 1987, and Park College where he received a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology in 1990. Chief Hill retired from the Air Force in May of 1984, but remained a Chief throughout his life.

In 1984, Jim was selected as an Air Force Civilian in the Federal Civil Service in Omaha, NE, where he spent the majority of his Air Force career. In 1987 he relocated to Knob Noster, MO, accepting the position of Assistant Chief of Supply at Whiteman Air Force Base.

It wasn't long until Jim was selected as 20 ^th Air Force's Senior Supply Manager for 1991. His excellence continued and the next year, he was selected as Senior Civilian Supply Manager of the Year for 20 ^th Air Force, Air Combat Command, and the entire U.S. Air Force.

Not surprisingly, that year (1992), his squadron won Supply Effectiveness Award as the best Supply Squadron in Air Combat Command and was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Those accomplishments are impressive enough, but even more so when considering that, during this time, a new weapon system was slated to arrive at Whiteman. Jim was instrumental in bringing the first and all succeeding operational B-2 Bombers on line at Whiteman Air Force Base.

Jim retired from the Civil Service in 2008. In recognition of his outstanding performance and accomplishments during his 24 years of Civil Service, he was awarded the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award for the period of 29 July 1985 to 31 May 2008.

Jim wasn't only devoted to the Air Force's success; he was also very active in his community. He was a member of the of First Baptist Church in Knob Noster, the Optimist Club, the Lions Club, the Eagle Club, a Tuskegee member, and the volunteer Director of  509 Retiree Activities Office at Whiteman AFB. He was also a School Board member and served on the Missouri School Boards of Directors.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Gladys; and his son, Tony. Jim leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Marvella in Knob Noster, MO. He is also survived by his three sons, Keith Hill of Dallas, TX, Vince Hill of Omaha, NE, and Eric (Amanda) Hill of Omaha, NE; his first cousin, Vera Powell of Jackson, MS; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, MO. The family will receive visitors from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Graveside services will follow at Knob Noster Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Keith Hill, Vince Hill, Eric Hill, Nolan Jackson, Sr., Mavis Jackson, Sr., and Thello Jackson.