Mr. Alvin Ray Hill of Riverview, Florida, departed this life on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in that city.

A celebration of life service for Deacon Alvin Ray Hill will be held on Friday March 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, 3708 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610 with Rev. W. D. Sims, Servant/Pastor officiating.

Deacon Alvin Ray Hill was born on January 28, 1956, in Sylvester, Georgia to Mr. Verdis, Jr. and Mrs. Irene Rice Hill. He was the fourth of seven children. At an early age, Ray confessed Christ and joined the First African Baptist Church of Sylvester, Georgia. Later in life, Ray moved to Tampa, Florida in October 1986 with his wife and daughter in tow. He moved his membership to St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, were he was ordained a Deacon. He also served as President of the W. D. Sims Men’s Choir, member of the Brotherhood Ministry and the Pastor’s Aide Board, and Substitute Sunday School Teacher until his health declined and he went on to be with the Lord.

As a young man, Ray attended his Elementary and Secondary education in the Worth County school system. He graduated from Worth County High School in 1974. After High School, he graduated from Albany Technical College as a license cosmetology. After moving to Tampa, he worked as a Cardiac Monitor Technician at Tampa General Hospital for 27 years.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Verdis, Jr. and Mrs. Irene Rice Hill; his brothers, Ronnie Hill, Charles Hill, and Jimmy Hill.

Ray met then married the love of his life on November 1, 1981, in Sylvester, Georgia. Through this union, he leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Nadine Hollis Hill; daughter, Kandice LaShawn Hill and son, Alvin Rashad Hill of Tampa, Florida. He also leaves behind, daughter, Kanesha (Marko) Thornton of Albany, Georgia; grandchildren, Giselle Thornton and Malaysia Hill, and godson, Sylvester Samuels; two brothers, Deacon Randy (Debra) Hill, and Pastor Webbie (Pamela) Hill, and one sister, Reverend Dr. Judy (Jimmy) Hall all of Sylvester, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

There will be a viewing on Thursday March 23, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home. A viewing will also be held at Shipp’s Funeral Home, Sylvester, Georgia on Saturday March 25, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Shepherd Memorial Garden Cemetery, Sylvester, Georgia