Caroline K. Hill

Caroline K. Hill, of Hon-Dah, entered eternal rest, after battling a long illness, December 26, 2009 in Mesa, AZ. She was 67. Caroline was born November 7, 1942 in Cedar Creek, AZ to the late Walter and Esther (Tenijieth) Kessay. Caroline was raised in Cedar Creek and McNary before moving to Whiteriver and then to Hon-Dah where she resided until her death. While she was younger she lived in the dorms at Ft. Apache and became a day student at the Whiteriver Elementary School. While there she was a very bright and gifted student. She was so gifted that while there two teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt, were so impressed that they asked her parents if she could move to Arkansas with them. They agreed and she lived there for three years before moving back to Whiteriver in 1960. That same year she married the love of her life Harlan Hill, Sr. Caroline worked various jobs throughout her life for the White Mountain Apache Tribe. She began as a housekeeper for the Hon-Dah cabins and moved to being the cashier at the Hon-Dah gas station. She then went to work for the Whiteriver Day Care Center, the Whiteriver Restaurant, the Whiteriver Supermarket (Now Bashas), and the Variety Store until her retirement. While she was employed for the Variety Store she had the opportunity to attend a show in Vegas where she grew to love gambling. Many will remember her for winning the July 4, 2001 "Jackpot" at Hon-Dah where she won $231,759.26. She loved to bake, sew, collect coins and Elvis Presley, but most of all she loved her family. Caroline battled her illness for 26years where she "Fought the good fight and she's now at rest". She is survived by her loving husband, Harlan Hill, Sr. of Hon-Dah; her daughters, Darlene Begay, Sharon (Steve) Anderson and Darla Hill; her sons, Harlan (Ena) Hill, Jr., Gary (Crystal T.) Hill, Harley (Linda G.) Hill and Bill Hill; 33 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a sister, Carrie Ann Kessay as well as a brother, Jasper Kessay, Sr. A two night wake will begin 10:00AM Thursday, December 31, 2009 at the Hill residence, 496 Branch Wood Dr., Hon-Dah. Funeral services will be held 10:00AM Saturday January 2, 2010 at the Cedar Creek Assembly of God, Cedar Creek. Interment will follow in the Morning Dove Cemetery, Cedar Creek.