Rev. Stanley F. Hill

Rev. Stanley F. Hill "Stan" was born on April 9, 1928 to the late Brown and Louise (Clark) Hill and lived in Akron, OH for 33 years. He made his home in Ashtabula, OH for 11 years, and from 1972 to 2000 he lived in North Miami, FL. Stan then returned to Canal Fulton, OH where he went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at the age of 95.

He proudly served his country in the First Cavalry Division in WWII. Stan served in the Pacific Theater and Japan. Upon his return from the military he married his high school sweetheart, Wanda June Kirkland, and they had one child, a precious talented daughter, Chris.

After 26 years of government service, Stan quit The U.S. Customs Service and answered God's call to the gospel ministry. Two days after tendering his resignation a Pastor called from Florida inquiring if he ever thought about serving God full-time. While attending Bible School, he worked as an associate, and in one year he became Pastor of the church there in Miami. In 1998, Pastor Hill, along with a dedicated congregation built a beautiful church - debt free, to the Glory of God, in Pembroke Pines, FL and in 2000 turned it over to a young pastor when Pastor Hill retired from the pulpit. The church is still going strong under great leadership. Stan was already established as President of Christian Laymen's Council (CLC) when he returned to Ohio. CLC works to help establish independent Baptist Churches. Also, CLC works with pulpit committees and senior pastors looking to retire to find suitable replacements.

Stan attributes his successes in life to the goodness of God and the faithful women in his life. He had a praying mother, Louise and sister, Gerry. His beautiful wife, June supported him in every way. His loving daughter, Chris, was -- in his words-- "worth more to me than seven sons". By the way, Stan can be accredited to writing most of this obituary himself.

He received many commendations in government service, but always on his mind was that great reward when the Lord would say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant...". Stan was saved at the age of 9, became very spiritually attuned at the age of 28, and became actively engaged in church work.

To the end Stan continually prayed for the families he pastored in Florida and his church family at Open Door Baptist Church, where he was a founding charter member of 23 years. He prayed for Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, and other faithful servants of God and his neighborhood where he lived. He was blessed with kind and supportive neighbors, namely, the Garber's, Harvey's, Good's and the Baroni's.

Rev. Hill was preceded in death by his wife, June; sister, Gerry Anderson; brothers, Roy and Don Hill; brothers-in-law, Daryl Anderson, Cecil Kirkland, and Louis Cestaro; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Hill, Dee Kirkland, Yvonne Edmunds Cestaro. 

He is survived by his daughter, Chris (Don) Schafer; sister-in-law, Faye Hill; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Stan said, "By the way, if anyone is reading or hearing this - I am surprised! I thought surely the Lord would come first!"

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Open Door Baptist Church, 7688 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH 44721. A Funeral service will follow at the church at 11 a.m., with Pastor Robert Butterfield officiating. Private interment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Open Door Baptist Church Missions Fund or Bearing Precious Seed, 1369 Woodville Pike, Milford, OH 45150, in memory of Rev. Stanley F. Hill.