Rayford Earl Hill, 85, long time resident of Selma, NC, left these earthly bounds on October 5, 2022.  He is predeceased by his father,  Eddie Hill and mother, Hattie Stanley Hill; sisters, Lib, Cindy, Mable, Faye, Brenda, Marie and brother Eddie Wilson Hill.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley Winstead Hill; his sons, Toney (Maureen) of Virginia, Roland (Sharon) of South Carolina; and daughter, Sonia Parker (Joe) of Pennsylvania; four grand children, Karen, David, Andrew and Savannah; three great grand children, Kayla, Joshua, Gabby; sisters, Louise Clemmons, Patsy Worlds; brothers, GB Hill and Linwood Hill; stepson,  Gregg Joyner (Mandy); stepdaughter Angela Joyner; three step grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

Ray served 25 years as an Army infantry paratrooper with the 11th Airborne, 82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne divisions and later as a transportation NCO after sustaining wounds in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division. While serving his country, Ray earned numerous awards including: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, German Army Marksmanship Award Bronze, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm. Upon retirement, Ray worked 12 years with state corrections at Wake Correctional, Central State Prison and Polk Youth Center. He then was employed by PCX in Clayton for 8 years.

Ray was a 32 degree Master Mason and Past Master of lodges in Bamberg and Nahe, Germany.  He was also a Shriner.  He was a dedicated member of Selma DAV Chapter 44 and Past Commander of VFW Post in Garner.

A graveside service, with military honors, will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Price Cemetery in Pine Level. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at  Parrish Funeral Home in Selma.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Ray's memory and sent to DAVA 4 Kids, 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018.