A good woman has gone to rest with her Savior.
Barbara Ann Hill Wilder, beloved daughter of J. W. Hill and Susan Wilson Hill died in her home on Thursday, January 11, 2018 of pancreatic cancer. She attended Youngsville High School, Meredith College, and Campbell College. After school she quickly achieved a childhood dream of working as a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, "The wings of man."  Her career was her passion. 

In 29 years she was a flight attendant, ticket agent, and then the regional manager of city ticket offices as her company merged with Continental Airlines. Upon the bankruptcy and labor shut down of Continental/ Eastern sales she ‘turned out the lights", in RDU for Eastern Airlines. Given twelve hours to accept a promotion with Continental in Houston, TX she reported to work 72 hours later. After 3 years in Houston, feeling the pull of Wake county and home, she was hired as operations manager of a growing regional travel agency. After a few years at the agency she worked briefly for Midway Airlines where her career with the airlines ended.

Barbara was known for her great cooking, meticulous planning, and for being capable of hosting a whole hog barbecue for dozens or, her favorite, a quiet dinner for 6 or 8 friends. She performed these feats at her home, her beach condo in N. Myrtle Beach, and on their cruiser boat “Finally”. "Hostess with the Mostess" was said by many.

Barbara revered her church, Sunday school class, and Golden Girls friends. She delighted in the millions of her American friends who celebrated her July 4th birthday. She was proud to be a "GRITS". 

Barbara offered her creative mind and hard work ethic to NC Jaycees (congress woman 007), Wake County Shrine club, Red Hats, Raleigh Power Squadron, and Bethlehem Baptist Church.  Not one to stand back in a situation, she seemed to know what to do and just did it.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Jesse W.  Hill and John T. Hill. She is survived by her husband of fifty one years, Barry Wilder of Knightdale, NC, her sister in law, Judith Holden Hill of Rock Hill, SC. Her nephew David Hill  (Sherri) of  Hillsborough, NC, nephew James Hill  (Tyla) of Clemson, SC, and niece Jocie Hill Tiedeman (Clay) of Atlanta, GA and six great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 1:00 to 1:45 pm in the church fellowship hall.

Funeral service 2:00 pm, Monday, January 15, 2018 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 8400 Poole Road, Knightdale, NC 27545.

Burial – New Knightdale Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, Knightdale, NC.

 Service Information