Georgia State Sen. Jack Hill Leaves Legacy at Georgia Southern
Georgia state Sen. Jack Hill (’66) died unexpectedly at his district office in his hometown of Reidsville, Georgia, April 6, 2020.
The retired grocer was sworn into the Georgia Senate in 1991, representing District 4, which includes Bulloch County. The longest-serving state senator was re-elected to his 15th consecutive term in 2018. Throughout his years of service, Hill served as chairman of several state Senate committees including most recently the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful positions in the Senate.
“Eagle Nation mourns the loss of Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill, a tremendous servant leader who loved Georgia Southern,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “He left an indelible mark on this institution, Southeast Georgia, and the state. I was among a great many who relied on his friendship and wise counsel. “
He was a staunch supporter of his alma mater and was a key member of the legislative delegation that advocated funding for Georgia Southern. Significant projects funded during his tenure as a state senator that will benefit generations of students to come include the College of Education Building, the Biological Sciences Building, the Interdisciplinary Academic Building, the Engineering and Information Technology Building, the Nursing/Chemistry Building, the Military Science Building and the currently under construction Center for Engineering and Research Building.
Hill, who lived in Reidsville his entire life, also served in the Georgia Air National Guard for 33 years as a unit commander and state inspector general.
Triple Eagle Ruth Nail Hill (’73,’90,’91) of Reidsville, Georgia, died April 24, 2020, 18 days after the unexpected death of her husband, state Sen. Jack Hill. She had Alzheimer’s disease and was recovering from a broken hip. She was an educator who retired as principal of Reidsville Elementary School. She was also known for working in the family’s grocery store. Her forte was in the frozen food section where she demonstrated whatever frozen food was being featured for the week. She would dress according to the location or region the food was from, sewing her own costumes. The Hills are survived by three children.