Joseph Lester Abel Hill Jr.

Joseph Lester Abel Hill Jr. (February 6th, 1963 - August 21st, 2026) Joe was a man of unshakeable routines. He ate with the same worn spoon for most of his life, carried the same lunchbox for over three decades, and refused to order anything at Olive Garden except the spaghetti with meat sauce. He knew what he liked and when he knew, he knew. A single card game was all it took for him to pack his bags and move in with his future wife—a bold move that sparked a 41-year marriage. His hands were weathered like old leather, and his stubbornness could rival a mule's. Every calloused line on his hands was earned building a life for his family—ensuring they had everything they needed, and in spite of his constant grumbling, his wife always had extra money to do some shopping.

A veteran of Desert Storm, he proudly served his country for 10 years as an Army Combat Engineer. Though the cancer that ultimately took his life originated from exposures during deployment, his decade in uniform defined his character and shaped his life's work. The expertise he gained building bridges and structures in a combat environment paved the way for a distinguished 33-year career building bridges across the U.S. and drove his obsession for a meticulously manicured lawn.

He was deeply loved—enough that his family not only tolerated, but happily indulged, his binging of campy B-movies and his religious, decades-long devotion to WWE wrestling. Continuing the main event in his honor are his beloved wife, Hattie; his mother, Sarah; his children, Joseph (Sarah), Tammy (Greg), and Tonya; eight grandchildren, Zachary, Alayna, Austin (Katie), Megan (Adam), Amaya, Autumn, Bailey, and Ryleigh; and three great-grandchildren, Lillian, Evelyn, and Jaycee. He is reunited in spirit with his late son-in-law, Brian (Tonya).

Non-ceremonial cremation was chosen. Mattingly Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.