Raymond Hill passed away July 22, 2020. He was born on September 1, 1956 in Eustis, FL to Joyce Hill Collins of Georgia and Samuel Deveaux of the Bahamas. He attended Lake County public schools and while attending Leesburg High school, his love for drums allowed him to excel in the band. After high school he worked at Minute Maid in Leesburg, FL and he worked many years as a roofer locally.
“Big Ray” as he was known to his family was also known as “Mister” around Leesburg and to many of his friends. For a while he migrated to California where he became a supervisor at JWL Roofing Company but missed Florida and came back home. He later received his CDL license and worked as a truck driver traveling all over the US. It was his dream job as it allowed him to see all of the US and visit loved ones outside of Florida, particularly, his only grandchild whom he adored. He drove trucks up until his health interrupted and he had to stop. He often talked about becoming well enough to get back on the road.
Big Ray loved his family and friends and always made everyone laugh. He was the funniest and wittiest of all the siblings and always had the best stories. He also loved sports and he loved his dear Florida Gators. He equally loved to eat, loved good food overall and was a great cook. Big Ray was definitely the handyman in the family and while he would not “touch anything electric” as he would say, he will be missed as “Mr. Fix It.” Big Ray was a member of Macedonia Church but he enjoyed visiting a variety of community churches from time to time.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Niela Hill (Ola Aremu) and his grandson, Javed Aremu of Atlanta, GA; his son, Raymond Hill, Jr. of Georgia; and his daughter Joneall’e Hill, of Leesburg, FL. He also leaves to cherish his memories: Stepfather Raymond Collins (Leesburg, FL); Aunt Mabel H. Story (Clermont, FL); siblings, Dr. Alvin Harris and Stephanie (Chicago, IL); Joseph Hill and Brenda (Eustis,FL); Sammy Hill and Loretta (Clermont, FL); Shirley Hill (Weirsdale, FL); Gloria Hill (Leesburg, FL);
Te’Rella Coleman (Weirsdale, FL); Helena Vickers (Leesburg, FL); Ellen Ferguson and Al (Bahamas); Patricia Deveaux (Bahamas); Rudolph Deveaux (Bahamas).
Ray also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and caring friends.
Ray was proceeded in death by both his parents, his grandson, Nasir Aremu and his sisters, Rosetta Hill and Diane Hill.
