Harlan James Hill, Jr

Harlan James Hill, Jr., 77, of Waco, passed away on February 2, 2021 at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center surrounded by loved ones after  a brief, but courageous battle with COVID-19. A visitation will be  6-8 PM, Friday, February 12, 2021 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home in Woodway, TX. Funeral services will be 11:30 AM, Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, with Chapln. Eugene Boeche officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park.

Harlan was born May 1, 1943 in Waco to Harlan Hill, Sr. and Ellen Mae Hill (Odom). Harlan had the pleasure of living in many places during his childhood before moving to Kerrville, TX  where he graduated from  Tivy High School in 1962. After graduation, he attended Southwest Texas State University where he studied Psychology. After working at Westinghouse and Terrell State Hospital, among other places, Harlan found a career at Waco Center for Youth, where he worked the majority of his time there as the Rights Protection Officer. Harlan had a true passion for helping all youth, and he served on numerous boards, committees, and councils during his stent at Waco Center for Youth to ensure that the needs of all clients were met or exceeded. Harlan retired from Waco Center for Youth after 25 years of faithful service to fellow staff and adolescents, and his legacy will never be forgotten.

Harlan loved music,  art, and shopping for antiques. An avid traveler in his younger years, Harlan has been to places such as Canada, Lake Tahoe, and Japan. We will always remember him for his artistic ability and his own personal “style.” He was a friend to many and though never married, Harlan was considered family by many co-workers and former classmates and their children.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Waldo and Roxie Hill and Mike and Elsie Odom, his father, Harlan Sr., his mother Ellen, aunts Katherine and Marietta Odom, uncles Cecil “Leon” and Waldo Hill, cousins Steve and Raymond Hill, and a nephew, Connor Johnson.

Harlan is survived by his sisters Donna Hill, Karen Johnson and Keila Lance; his brother, Royce Younger; cousins Rick and Weldon Hill, as well as many nieces including, Cindy Johnson , Cynthia Wrightson and Kalyn Scott; and many nephews including Sean Johnson, Steven Johnson, Michael Dourbon and Jared Scott.

Pallbearers will be Garry Scott, Robert Foy, Kenneth Braswell, Jared Scott, Joseph Moore, and Randy Green.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff who cared for Harlan at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco, TX, especially Dr. Marcia Henderson with the pulmonary service, Dr. Rafael Gonzales, hospitalist, and Ana Marie Howser with Palliative Care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Waco Center for Youth Volunteer Services.

Registry for Harlan Hill