Waddell Stewart Franklin Hill, born on March 6, 1946, in Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on November 26, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky, at the age of 78. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, and coach.
Waddell was known for his kindness, thoughtfulness, strength, wisdom, and reliability throughout his life. He was a long-time pillar of every community in which he lived, from Paducah, Kentucky and Champaign, Illinois to Tacoma, Washington and Louisville, Kentucky. He was a man who garnered love and respect across all walks of life from state houses to public housing.
Waddell was a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School where he played football and basketball. After high school, he joined the Air Force where he was a Senior Airman and served as a Jet Engine Mechanic.
After leaving the Air Force, Waddell explored numerous opportunities, including owning a service station in 1970s. However, he proudly spent the bulk of his career as a firefighter. Waddell joined the Champaign, Illinois Fire Department in the early 1970s as one of its first Black firefighters. It would be just the beginning of a long line of firsts in his career. He would climb the ranks to become the first Black fire inspector in the Champaign Fire Department. In 1988, he moved his family to Tacoma, Washington to become the first Black fire marshal in Pierce County, the second largest county in the State. He would retire in 2008 after 37 years in public service.
During his time in Tacoma, Waddell would be able to pursue his true passion of coaching youth football. Waddell would coach and mentor hundreds of young men for over 20 years at the Al Davies Boys and Girls Club, winning numerous championships during his tenure. Through the game of football, he would teach young men about sportsmanship, hard work, discipline, and teamwork. These were lessons he knew would help them not only on the field but in life.
In addition to his love of football, Waddell was a long-time servant of the Lord. Waddell was a devoted and engaged member of West End Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where his younger brother, Dr. Dartanya Hill, Sr., serves as Pastor. Previously he was a member of Miles Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Tacoma, Washington, and St. Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Champaign, Illinois. He served many roles at West End Baptist Church , including as a member of the Mighty Men of West End, a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the Men’s and Mixed Choirs.
Waddell started his masonry in the mid nineteen hundreds and went on to become a master mason and proceeded to become an Illustrious Potentate in the Shriners. Through his journey he also proceeded to serve his community very well and in the midst of that he became a thirty second degree mason. And if Waddell really knew you, he will always drop a jewel and forever look to the east.
Even after his passing, Waddell continued to show his kind and generous spirit by donating his eyes through The Eye Bank of Kentucky. May we all strive to carry on his legacy of wisdom, kindness, selflessness, and generosity.
He is survived by his wife, Meta Hill; his children, Cecelia Crawford, Tonya Cooper, Alvin Overton, Terrece Hill-Zackery, LaVonnia Bowman, Leshia (Barron) Bibbs, Danielle (DeMear) Fisher, Waddell Hill, Tony Williams, Michael Hill, and Brandon (Andria) Hill; his siblings, June Shelby (Ricky Brown), Dr. Dartanya Hill, Sr., Chen Matchem, Gilda Matchem Kolheim, Peggy Matchem Huey, Madonna Matchem Lee (Arthur), Sheila Matchem, Mercedes Matchem Powers (Thomas), Cheryl Matchem, Regina Topp, Larry Matchem, Frederick Matchem, Lucinda Matchem Thompson (Clinton), Quinton Matchem, Barbara Matchem Bly, and Demetrius Matchem; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Waddell was preceded in death by his parents (Opal Hill, William Hill, and Herbert Matchem), his brothers (Herbert Matchem II and Clarence Johnson), and his beloved daughter, Atona Hill.
Services are scheduled for Friday, December 13, 2024 at West End Baptist Church, 1400 S. 4th St., Louisville, Kentucky, at 11:00 a.m. with family receiving friends from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour and Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Greater Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church 1324 Bloomfield Avenue, Paducah, Kentucky at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Dartanya G. Hill, Sr. and Reverend Alfred Anderson officiating.
Family will also receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.
Burial will follow with Military Honors in Oak Grove Cemetery in Paducah.
You may light a candle or leave online condolences at pettusrowlandfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the mission of West End Baptist Church in honor of Waddell through the following link https://www.webcky.com/index.php/offerings.
