Rev. Clarence Arthur Hill

Early Life & Education

Clarence Arthur Hill was born June 5, 1936, in Charleston, West Virginia, to Edward Hill and Clara (Coleman) Bell Hill. His mother later remarried and became Clara Bell Moore. Clarence grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated from East High School. A track athlete with a lean, athletic build, he earned the nickname "Fish." Education was always a priority-he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Franklin University in 1973 and later a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1995.

Family Life

Clarence's greatest earthly blessing was his family. He met Miss Beverly Jean Gardner at the Cameo Theater in Columbus, and on November 28, 1962, they were married by Rev. Phale D. Hale. Their union, filled with love and faith, lasted 52 years until Beverly's passing. Together, they raised three daughters: Donica, Dayna, and Dyana. Clarence was known as a man of few words, but he delighted in telling stories from his life and offering lessons to his children and grandchildren.

Military & Career

Clarence served his country with honor in the United States Marine Corps Infantry (1954-1957) and then the United States Army (1958-1961). He often recalled his military training, humorously reminding younger generations that soldiers of his day had it "much tougher." After military service, he built a career with the Federal Government, beginning as a tele-operator and city carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, later advancing to Computer Systems Programmer in the Federal Dept. of Defense, Systems Automation Center. Even after retirement, he was rehired as a programmer consultant and continued studying computer programming well into his 80s, teaching himself web design. He retired in 1990 with 35 years of dedicated and unvaluable service to our country and the Dept. of Defense.

Ministry & Service

Clarence gave his life to Christ at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he was baptized, under the leadership of the late Rev. J.A. Thrower (Amanda) and licensed to preach in 1990 under the late Rev. G.A. Adair (Staralee); he faithfully served his tenure. He was ordained in 2000 at Christ Memorial Baptist Church under Pastor Shedrick Fowler and faithfully served as Rev. Clarence Hill and later joined Bethany Baptist Church under Pastor Johnathan W. Bradford Jr., serving as Associate Minister, Sunday School Teacher, and Evangelist Ministry. His ministry was marked by a deep love for preaching and teaching God's Word-always prepared, always prayerful. Those who heard him preach remember his voice rising with conviction, shoulders lifting as the Spirit moved in him. Even in his final years, while living with dementia, Clarence's heart for worship never faded. He would sing hymns, reach for hands to pray, and responded to audio preaching with joy.

In 2002, Clarence became a certified chaplain at Riverside Methodist Hospital and Grant Medical Center, comforting countless patients and families. Later, Clarence planted The Columbus Community Missionary Church, which grew from a small, ten-member Bible study in 2011 into a full-service worship ministry by 2015, with Minister Roderick Cheatham serving as Assistant Pastor. Clarence was also active in Christian education through the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and the Ministers Alliance.

Legacy & Survivors

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Beverly Jean Hill (Gardner); his parents, Edward Hill and Clara Bell Coleman-Hill-Moore; his granddaughter, Angel Townsend; his aunts and uncles on the Coleman side: Elizabeth, Willie, Josephus, Horace, James, John, Charles, and Alfred; his mother- and father-in-law, William Sr. and Carrie Gardner; his brother-in-law, William Gardner Jr. (Buster); and his sisters-in-law, Mary and Frances Gardner, Louisa Jones, Geraldine Hagey, and Betty Moorehead.

He leaves to cherish his memory with his 3 daughters: Donica (Minister Roderick) Cheatham, Dayna (Willis) Townsend, and Dyana Hill; 10 grandchildren: Mercedes Fields, Jelanah Cheatham, Jelani Cheatham, Iyanah Cheatham, William Townsend, Wesley Townsend, Imani Hill, and Destini Wesley; 1 great-grandson: Carter Fields; his sister-in-law Hazel (Floyd-his best friend) Cain; brothers-in-law James (Marian) Gardner and Melvin Gardner; generations of cousins on the Coleman side; nieces and nephews on the Gardner side; many dear friends and a host of dear friends, church members, and ministry partners.

Reverend Clarence Arthur Hill lived a life of faith, service, wisdom, and love. His legacy endures in the family he cherished, the churches he served, and the many lives touched by his preaching, teaching, and example.