FUNERAL DIRECTOR/ENTREPRENEUR | RICHARDSON HILL FUNERAL HOME

Patrick Hill never thought that he would serve as a funeral director or own a funeral home. Always one who liked helping others, he decided to give this career a try. From the beginning to the end, Patrick coordinates and works with the family of the deceased to arrange the entire funeral. When families are hurting and grieving, Patrick tries his very best to ease their burdens with compassionate care.

Why did you decide to be a funeral director?

Back in 2001, it rained on and off almost four months. I couldn’t build any houses, and traffic was very slow at the car lot. I told my late wife, Monica, that I was going to have to find a career where the weather or the economy would not keep me from making a living. In the middle of the night, I rose up and said, “Funeral home.” She said, “What? Lie back down. You are having a nightmare.” I bought Richardson Funeral Home with partners in April of 2001 but later bought them out.

Name one thing about your profession that people might not know.

We don’t sit around the funeral home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week waiting on people to die. We are on call. Many people call us in the middle of the night checking prices, and the office is closed. We are just available for removal services.

Who has helped you become the person you are today, and how did they inspire you?

My mother, Mable Hill, and father, Sylvester Hill, Sr. helped me become the person I am today. My father was a well-known and well-liked businessman. My mother has always been the kind of person that if she gave you her word, she would do everything in her power to keep it. She always told me what the Bible said about the value of a good name. Unfortunately, in this day and time, people’s words are just words.

Tell us one thing you can’t do without on Thanksgiving Day and explain why.

I cannot do without dressing and sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving. I also enjoy watching the Dallas Cowboys play football. I also love playing cards and dominoes with friends and family on Thanksgiving.

What do you love most about the Four States area?

What I love most about the Four States area are the local bankers. David White and James Bramlett of Farmers Bank and Trust will definitely help you. Brad Davis and Joe Nichols of State Bank will give the average person a chance. Ted Kelton of Texana Bank is always finding ways to make a loan. Rick Wisdom of Diamond Bank loves to call you personally and tell you how he can get a loan done for you. Robert Irwin of Guaranty Bank & Trust has helped just about everyone I have sent to him. He is really a good banker. My good friend and banker, George Merrill, of Bancorp South, started me in business when I didn’t have good credit or a lot of money. He took the time to show me how to get my credit good, and I did everything I said I would do. He has always been there for me.

What lessons have you learned from the pandemic?

The pandemic has taught me that we can’t listen to conspiracy theories because I have seen so many people die that should not have. I literally beg people at all of my funerals, on Facebook, and in the public to get vaccinated because I don’t want to see them die. I know I am in the funeral business but with me, it’s going to always be “people over profits.” I just wished more funeral homes would step up and help me because I believe it is a shame before God that we stay quiet and don’t do all we can to help keep families from breaking apart.

How would you like for others to remember you?

I would love to be remembered as someone who would help anybody and that loved children, animals, and the Lord.

Feature Stories

Patrick Hill | Helping Families Celebrate a Life Well-Lived