OUR FAMILY

W.C. was our family’s original Jack-of-All-Trades. He was a primitive baptist minister, farmer, and father of six. His saga of nine barrels of apples started it all. He had a notorious sense of humor and was always into something. Just be glad you didn’t have to ride in a car with him, as he was always looking at anything but the road. We all survived thanks to his wife, Sarah’s ability to grab the wheel and get him back in the road. (Sarah never had a driver’s license, she simply drove from the passenger seat). Grandpa Hill was loved by many and is still missed today.

While Grandpa (W.C.) was off farming, Sarah ran the store in the early days. It was probably not easy, not only was there a business to run, there was the household and their first child, W.O., needed a caretaker. Sarah was such a great manager of the business that it grew to the point that W.C. had to quit farming to help out at the store. Sarah was gentle, calm, and loving. She made delicious yeast rolls, and would “assistant drive” for Grandpa while he was at the wheel and looking for a house he had a dream about. Seriously, she kept all the passengers safe from Grandpa’s driving!

Oscar started working at the store at the age of 7 (in 1949)! He was so short when he started work, he had to stand on running boards of the customer’s pick up trucks in order to talk to the driver. In fact, he actually started working before he started attending school. Being the son of W.C., he picked up his father’s Jack-of-All-Trades personality, and has held many different jobs over the years. He sold Insurance for Nationwide, worked in the office of a trucking company, was a farmer who grew apples and peaches, as well as raising Angus cattle. Oscar was once a bit of a local celebrity after filming a commercial for Food Town grocery stores (now Food Lion) with Tom Smith, Food Town president in 1978. He says that commercial was the beginning and end of his acting career since filming the 25 second spot took THREE HOURS! Oscar became a partner in the family business in 1960 and bought the business from his brother (W.O.) in 1980. He has been the pastor of a church since 1986.

Barbara started working at Hill’s soon after marrying Oscar in 1960 (at the ripe old age of 16)! She started as a register girl, and over the years has had her hands in many different areas, including baking, marketing, and buyer of groceries and shoes. After the 1980 purchase of the business, Barbara dreamed of expanding the shoe department and adding a bakery/deli. In 1988, Barbara had the dream of closing the grocery and bakery/deli business and expanding the shoe department to take over the entire building. In her spare time, Barbara loves baking gluten free breads, cakes, and cookies, she loves crafting, sewing, and is active in her church.

Todd spent his childhood in a playpen in the store. He has worked for the family business since 1973. He was 10 when he started as a gas boy and grocery bagger. Todd is a certified Certified Pedorthist and can help you with foot problems like plantar fasciitis, diabetes-related problems, or random foot pain. (More information on our Certified Pedorthist services can be found here.) In his spare time, Todd coaches high school girls basketball and cross country. He is an active runner (averaging 15-20 miles/week), a hunter, and a bit of a sheep and goat farmer. He loves spending time with his family, especially hiking in the great outdoors. Notorious for his practical jokes, Todd’s sense of humor makes Hill’s a fun place to be.

Delores started working here at 1981 as a bookkeeper, checkout girl, and stocking shelves. She graduated from Surry Community College with a degree in Accounting in 1983. She is something of a Renaissance Woman. She loves reading (historical fiction), hiking, running (non-competitive), and photography. She has home schooled all three of her girls which has fed her passion for knowledge. A fun fact about Todd and Delores: They started dating at the age of 14 and where high school sweethearts.

Kyla started work here at the age of 12. Her first job was as Chief Bathroom Cleaner and Cleanliness Supervisor. As she got older, she moved up the ranks to become a sales associate and assistant manager. She attended Bryan College in TN and graduated in 2010 with a double major in History and Politics & Government. Upon her return to Cana, Kyla was promoted to manager. In her spare time, she loves hiking, running (fun fact: she has run a marathon and several half marathons), reading (history, classics, and theology), and travel throughout the US. Kyla is also a Certified Pedorthist.

Krissa, like her father, grew up in the store. In 2000, at the ripe old age of 10, Krissa took over Kyla’s job as Chief Bathroom Cleaner and Cleanliness Supervisor. She is a writer, having already written her first novel and is trying to get it
published. Krissa, like her dad and pappa, is a farmer. She loves animals, especially dogs. She is an active competitive runner (5Ks and cross country) and plays basketball for her high school league. Krissa also loves to read (fantasy novels are her favorite).

Tim started at Hill’s at the age of 10. He was a gas boy and register boy. He once held the job as Chief Bathroom Cleaner and Cleanliness Supervisor, but happily gave it up as soon as he could! Tim is the artist of the family. He is a classically trained singer and has sung with opera companies throughout the United States and even had a gig with a company in France. Tim received the gift of gab and the ability to tell a good story from both of his grandfathers and his dad. He lived in NYC for 20 years where he picked up his web design, photography, and marketing skills. He has taught voice for the Actors Studio Drama School, the New School for Drama, Elon University, and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Tim now lives in Santa Fe, NM where he is marketing manager for the Santa Fe Opera. He claims Oscar’s commercial for Food Town as a source for his artistry.

Delores’ Brother. Gerald has worked at Hill’s in many capacities over the years. He has been a gas boy, stock boy, and sales associate. Gerald is currently the Hill’s Shoes version of Mr. Haney from Green Acres. If you need it, he probably has it…in a storage unit. Gerald’s hobbies include weight lifting, target practice, and all things Mac.