Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Rosemond "Baby Ray" Hill, 84, Sandusky, departed this life on Sunday, October 24, 2010, in Firelands Reg. Med. Center.
He was born on February 14, 1926 in Tate County, MSOctober 24, 2010, son of the late Will and Pearl (Sandridge) Hill. He attended Tate County Schools. He accepted Christ at an early age. As a teenager, Rosemond was very athletic and learned to play baseball: a passion that would follow him throughout life. He played for several Negro baseball teams in the South and briefly in the Negro Leagues for the Memphis Red Sox, for which he was given the Trailblazer Award in 2008 by the Lorain Branch of the NAACP. His love of baseball was interrupted briefly by his love of Country when he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed out of Fort Bliss, TX from April 1954 - Nov. 1957. After returning from the service, Rosemond moved to Sandusky where he began working for R.S. Riedy and Sons and where he was a foreman for many years. He retired in 1991 from Roofers Local 44 in Cleveland, OH. He was a lifetime member of AMVETS Post 17. Baseball still held a special place in his heart and he coached from the 1970's - 1990 for the Eagles Atom League, the Amvets League for teams UCT and AFL-CIO - winning several World Series titles and two "Manager of the Year" awards. He also served as a director of the Amvets Little League and caretaker of the ballfield. During his off-season, Rosemond was an avid C.B. enthusiast, going by the C.B. handles "Sam Wishbone" and "King Fish". He enjoyed many conversations and made friends with people from the U.S., Canada, and the Carribean Islands. Always full of conversation, "Coach Hill" will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Rosemond is survived by his daughters, Lynne Crudup and Gloria Hill, both of Sandusky; sons, Billy Ray Hill and Marvin Hill, both of Sandusky, Christopher Hill, Atlanta, GA, and Anthony (Juanita) Hill, Saudi Arabia; fifteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Cornelius Young and Louise Jackson; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Jackie (Crudup) Hill, on June 29, 2009; and his parents.
Friends may call on Friday, October 29, 2010 from 7-9 P.M. in Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1 P.M. in Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1215 Pierce St., Sandusky. Rev. Albert Porter will officiate. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, where the American Legion Post 83 will hold military services.. Memorial contributions may be made to Sandusky/Firelands Alzheimer's Support Group, P.O. Box 2776, Sandusky, OH, 44870 Condolences may be shared at www.toftfh.com.
