Hill, Ross Goodell

Ross Goodell Hill, 83, of Christiansburg, Va., passed away at his home on December 22, 2010. The son of Norman Baker Hill and Sarah Amber Curran Hill, Ross was born on November 27, 1927 in the town of Orleans in upstate New York.

After a stint in the United States Army Signal Corps in Czechoslovakia, Ross became a teletype operator at the Pentagon, where he later became a career computer programmer. In 1965, Ross accepted a government computer position at the RAAP, where he served until his retirement in 1989.

Ross consistently gave his commitments to family, church and community. Ross’ hobbies and interest included music, crossword puzzles and poetry writing, flower and vegetable gardening and other outdoor activities, including hiking and bird watching.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Carlton Hill, Anna H. Wood and Hazel H. Virkler. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 59 years, Merie Dell Wright Hill; daughter, Rebecca H. Rogers and her husband, Ritchie James Rogers; son, David Michael Hill and his wife, Carol Wilson Hill, son, Stephen Lawrence Hill; daughter, Linda Sharon Hill; grandsons, Mark Wilson Hill and Aaron William Hill; brother-in-law, William Bennett Wright, Jr.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday December 27, 2010 at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg.

A funeral service will be held at 11a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Cambria Baptist Church, Christiansburg, with Dr. Thomas G. Harvey officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

The family encourages donations to area charities and ministries in Ross’ memory.

The Hill family is being served by Horne Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hornefuneralservice.com.