Wilma Jean Hill

Wilma Jean (Gilworth) Hill, 79, passed from this earth on April 27, 2017, at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville, MO. Wilma passed peacefully with family surrounding her after a short battle with cancer.

Wilma was born in Unionville, MO, on February 10, 1938, the daughter of Dwight Benjamin and Mary Marie (Shaver) Gilworth, who preceded her in death. She attended elementary grades at the rural Central City School and graduated from Unionville High School in 1955.

Wilma married her high school sweetheart Lloyd Hill on June 19, 1955 and to this union two daughters, Teresa Rene and Lisa Sue were born. Lloyd and Wilma spent the first eleven years of their marriage in Des Moines, IA. The Hill family moved back to Putnam County in 1966 and purchased a farm south of Lemons, MO. Lloyd was owner/operator of Hill Dozer Service and farmed. At this time, Wilma became manager of a clothing store located on the east side of the Unionville square. Wilma and her friend Lenora Cullor later purchased this business and it became known as L & W Fabrics. Wilma’s daughter Terry joined the business when Lenora decided to retire. The mother/daughter team enjoyed eleven years of working together. Lloyd and Wilma’s next business venture started when they joined Wilma’s brothers and their spouses in the development of the north end of Lake Thunderhead. Wilma and Lloyd built a new home at the Lake and have enjoyed 22 years there. One of Wilma’s favorite things was fishing with her son-in-law Pete. It was always a contest to see who could catch the most. Living at the lake, her door was always open to the grandkids and their friends who liked to Jet Ski and tube.

Wilma also enjoyed making quilts and offered classes at the store for many years. She and Lloyd have many great memories of travelling, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan cruise. She loved to dig for artifacts, taking one trip to Utah to dig for dinosaur bones. She always enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s activities. Wilma had a very special relationship with her great grandson Aidyn. They could spend hours looking at old family pictures and telling stories. He just recently called her for advice on a report he was writing on Mark Twain. She was proud of all her grandchildren and love having them visit.

Wilma accepted the Lord as her Savior at a young age and was a member of the Baptist faith, having recently enjoyed the church family at Midway Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher for the 2 year olds for many years. She volunteered to help with funeral dinners and Lloyd always said her crock pot went to church more than most people. She also enjoyed helping the Ministerial Alliance by working at the Bargain Barn.

Wilma is survived by her husband Lloyd of the home; her daughters, Terry Owings and husband Roger, and Lisa Schmidt and her husband Pete, all of Unionville, MO. Her grandchildren are Dylan Owings and wife Crystal of Fair Grove, MO, Jentrie McDavid and husband Steve of Fayetteville, NC, Joetta Hunt and husband Deion of Unionville, MO, and Lydia Schmidt and fiancé Josh Gillum of Unionville, MO. Great grandchildren are Aidyn Owings and Addison McDavid and Wilma’s surviving brothers are Larry Gilworth of Centerville, IA, and Doug Gilworth and wife Connie of Unionville, MO, and her surviving sisters-in-law are Judy Gilworth and Betty Roof.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Lee and Edna Hill, her brother Lloyd Gilworth, sister-in-law Phyllis Gilworth, brothers-in-law Clifford Roof and Larry Hill, and sister-in-law Sharon Hill.

Funeral services for Wilma Hill will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 30. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery

Memorials are suggested to JDRF (juvenile diabetes) or the Unionville Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.