Bayard Donald Hill Sr.

Mr. Hill passed peacefully in his home in Southfield, Michigan. Bayard Donald Hill was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1923, the third of four sons to Mrs. Ingeborg Benjamin Hill of Hamburg, Germany and Mr. Harry Hill of New York. A proud product of Detroit Public Schools, Bayard was a gifted student athlete who excelled at swimming and football. He was one of the first African American swimmers in the Detroit area to compete against White swimmers. He recalled swim meets where crowds did not applaud when he won and White swimmers refusing to shake his hand. He turned these experiences into life lessons in courage, drive, and not allowing other people to intimidate or define him. Bayard attended Wayne State University and Lawrence Technological University. He served his country as a member of the United States Army. Achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, he received letters from Presidents Harry Truman and Barack Obama thanking him for his service. While stationed at Fort Lee in Virginia, Bayard met a beautiful student working on her master's degree named Christine Turner. He quickly recognized that she was "the one" and they were united in marriage after just 28 days! Together, Bayard and Christine sacrificed to give their children valuable educational opportunities while living their mission that each generation should be helped to do better than the previous one. Bayard and Christine were devoted parishioners of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, and Bayard was very active in helping to remodel and landscape their parish. He served as a Scoutmaster for the Holy Ghost Boy Scout troop. Bayard spent many weekends tinkering with cars and passing down two of his great passions: hunting and fishing. Bayard was married to his cherished wife Christine Turner Hill for 28 years until her death in 1974. Bayard created a scholarship in Christine's name and continued to honor her memory in sentimental ways, such as never removing her name from his personal checks and choosing bingo cards with 10 and 23 (his and her birthdays). Bayard lived life with toughness and grit, which might explain how he was able to work for the same employer -- the City of Detroit -- in various positions for 41 years. Among other things, he obtained a journeyman's license in painting, was elected a union representative and worked supervisory assignments. He retired in 1983, and went on to earn a pension for a whopping 36 years! He spent much of his retirement traveling, including trips to Hawaii, FireKeepers Casino, San Diego, Canada, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Yosemite National Park, watching the sunset over the Grand Canyon for his 94th birthday, Texas, winters in Florida and numerous Caribbean cruises. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family at his Up North retreat in Woodland Park, Michigan. Later in life, Bayard joined Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, where he made many friends. An avid gardener, he and Eliza "Trixie" Smith raised prize winning hydrangeas. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his precious "big bugs" (grandchildren) and "little bugs" (great grandchildren). A lifelong competitor, Bayard won over a dozen medals in the Senior Olympics, primarily in swimming and bowling. He played softball well into his 60's and jokingly said he decided to retire when he hit a home run and couldn't make it around the bases. He bowled well into his late 80's and would celebrate his wins by saying, "Who's bad?" With the support of his children and caregivers, Bayard remained an active and independent senior. Bayard spent his spring and summer seasons teaching his grandchildren fishing tips; each fall greatly anticipating the start of hunting season; and, his winters saying, "cold, cold cold, Florida, Florida, Florida" until his kids would plan his winter pilgrimage. He filled his days enjoying casino outings, bingo, his daughter Laurena's home cooked meals (including his favorite deviled eggs), Tigers' games, a warm cup of coffee, and a good piece of gossip. Though he became much more introspective, Bayard still had a sharp wit and the occasional spunky comeback. His faith, strength and stubbornness kept him going even as his health began to decline. His nephrologist referred to him as a "miracle patient." He was the oldest person at his dialysis facility and had the determination to take treatments three times per week for nine years without missing a single treatment. Bayard's life philosophy and legacy could be summarized as: work hard, play hard, and if people say you can't do it, make sure you prove them wrong! Bayard was predeceased by his treasured wife Christine and son Terrance. He is survived by sons Bayard, Harry, and Jamil (Dyan) and daughters Ingeborg, Laurena and Christina (Keith); brother, friend and role model Ludwig "Popsi" Hill; 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; friends Annie Carmichael Reed, Omaira Cintron and Regina Kelly, honorary sons Carlos Belen, Earl Pledger, Dr. Silas Cardwell, and a host of family and friends. Bayard is a child of God who lived with unparalleled zest, gusto and vigor. He had a long and amazing life and will be greatly missed. "God has blessed me so." Bayard Hill, Sr. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The family of Bayard Hill extends our sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to each of you. We appreciate the outpouring of love and concern expressed over the years through your prayers, calls, well wishes, cards and visits. The family also wishes to gratefully acknowledge and thank all who helped with Bayard's care, including longtime devoted caregiver Denise Lyles and caregiver Tiara Taylor, and Drs. Cardwell and Sharma and the staff at Northwest Detroit Hemodialysis Center.

Bayard Donald Hill Sr.

June 23, 1923 - November 30, 2019