Wilma Smith Hill

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

Wilma Lea Marsh Smith Hill, 94, went to be with Jesus and her Heavenly Father on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Residency at Ridgewood. She was surrounded by caregivers who had come to love her like family. They called her “Mama,” cared for her with great tenderness, and gave her everything she asked for.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Crestview Church of Christ, with her preacher, Jordan Hubbard, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, September 24th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wilkirson- Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Wilma was born in San Angelo, Texas, to Bettie Victoria Hobson and Ernest Leroy Marsh. She was one of five children. Her childhood was marked by the hardships and uncertainties of the years surrounding World War II. Her family moved frequently as her father sought work, and finding housing for a family with five children was difficult. At one point, the family lived in an abandoned filling station in Fort Worth. After her father died in a construction accident, the family received $5,000, and her mother purchased a house. Wilma remembered that house as the most beautiful house she had ever seen.

She attended junior high and high school in Riverside and graduated from Paschal High School in 1949. She attended Texas Wesleyan College for one year before transferring to Abilene Christian College. Wilma worked numerous jobs to pay her way through school.

At Abilene Christian, she met Tommy Edward Lee Smith. They married on December 21, 1952. Wilma worked many jobs and supported Tommy while he attended medical school, beginning a lifetime of devotion to her family.

Wilma was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, and Crestview Church of Christ was her church home and family from 1963 until her passing—a remarkable 63 years. She taught ladies’ Bible classes, volunteered for many years in the community food pantry, and loved serving others. She especially enjoyed giving bridal showers and baby showers and opening her home to events for the youth group.

When her children were in college, Wilma returned to school herself. She attended Baylor University and earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology. She loved learning, traveling, and making memories with her family. They were blessed with many wonderful vacations, but one of the family’s favorite traditions was spending summers at the Beaver Village Dude Ranch in Winter Park, Colorado. They returned every summer for 14 years and then continued visiting in the winter to snow ski for almost as many years. Wilma also enjoyed playing tennis with her good friend Veta Bolt and others.

Of all her accomplishments and experiences, Wilma was most proud of being a mother. She spoke with extraordinary love about her three children:

“I think of all the things I have had, what has meant the most to me are my children. I didn’t know I could care so much for anyone. Tommy Allen, Marsha, and Russell are so important to me. They have made me very happy. If I had tried, I could not have created better children.”

About ten years after Tommy’s death, Wilma found love again and married Walter Hill on June 26, 2010. They shared a rich life together and traveled to many interesting places. They took good care of one another and remained together until Walter’s passing in July 2024. Through her marriage to Walter, Wilma was also blessed with a stepfamily whom she loved dearly and who became an important part of her life.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; her two sisters and two brothers; her husbands, Tommy Smith and Walter Hill; and her son, Tommy Allen Smith.

She is survived by her children, Russell Anthony Smith, and his wife, Donnis, and Marsha Lynn Smith Turner, and her husband, Steve Turner; her daughter-in-law, Candie Clendennan Smith, who was married to her son, Tommy; her grandchildren, Jillian Nicole Smith Dugosh, Erick Allen Smith, Angela Ryan Turner Bradley, Alexandria Shea Turner Serur, Corey Christopher Turner, Ian Russell Smith, and Audrey Frances Smith Mitchell; her great-grandchildren, Payton Kingsley Benefield, Emily Mae Dugosh, Alice James Bradley, Zoe Alexandria Bradley, Reese Ryane Bradley, Jude Elliott Mitchell, and Florence Marie Mitchell; and her beloved stepfamily.

Wilma was also deeply grateful for all the spouses of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Together, this beloved family lovingly called her “Momsie.”

Pallbearers will be Ian Smith, Audrey Mitchell, Erick Smith, Corey Turner, Cecil Eager, and Steve Sorrells.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many doctors and nurses who cared for Wilma throughout her life, to the caregivers at Residency at Ridgewood who loved her like family, and to Halcyon Hospice, who stepped in so beautifully when their care was needed.

For those wishing give in Wilma’s honor, contributions may be made to Crestview Church of Christ Foreign Missions or the Crestview Church of Christ Food Pantry.

Wilma lived a life of faith, service, love, perseverance, and devotion to her family. She leaves behind generations who were blessed by her love—and she leaves them with the hope expressed in the scripture she chose: that what is now only partially understood will one day be seen with perfect clarity.

The family invites you to share a message, memory, or tribute for Wilma Hill in her Memorial Guestbook at www.WHBfamily.com.