Melvin Ray "M.R." Hill

Melvin Ray Hill was born September 14, 1941 in Rusk, Texas. His parents were Raymond Wade Hill & Mabel (Buchanan) Albright. M.R. served his country in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was noted for being the youngest jump master in the 173rd Airborne in Okinawa, Japan. Following his service, he attended the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas.

M.R. was an exceptional and brilliant horse trainer, but that particular title never seemed to actually define his amazing talent and skills. M.R. was more of a “horse whisperer,” possessing a special ability to communicate directly with the magnificent animals.

M.R. was a skilled Bush Pilot and an avid big game hunter in the Alaskan wilderness. He was also a Mason, a York Rite and Scottish Rite member. He had lived in Leon County since 2001 coming from Wasilla, Alaska.

M.R. passed away October 17, 2019 at his home in the Flo Community. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kelli Rae Hill and both of his parents. He is survived by wife, Sandra Hill of Oakwood; son, Stacy “Buck” Hill of Wasilla, AK; daughter, Toni Lynn Owens (Gene Ray, Jr.) of Oakwood; sisters, Betty Byrd of Brazoria and Ruby Williams of Jacksonville; 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral services for M.R. will be held 3 P.M., Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Walters’ Buffalo Funeral Home in Buffalo, Texas. Bro. Ray Grissett will officiate the service. Interment will be in Boykin Chapel Cemetery in the Flo Community. The Hill family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Gene Owens, Cole McVey, Robert Boehm, Gilbert Zulueta, Austin Courmier, B.J. Hill, Chase Lee.

Walters’ Buffalo Funeral is in charge of arrangements.