Archie Hill

Archie Lee Hill was born to Minnie Lee Hill in Pittsburgh, PA on December 18, 1945. Archie would be the first of eight children to his mother. Independent, intelligent, inquisitive, and no-nonsense are all words that describe Archie. He was educated in the Pittsburgh Public School System, where he excelled. After graduating from Westinghouse High School, Archie was accepted to and attended Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN until he was drafted into the Army during his first year of college. Archie would serve honorably in the Army until his service ended. Upon being discharged he returned to Pittsburgh where he would work for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement.

Archie was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and gave equal time to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. If Pittsburgh would have had a basketball team, he would have given them his time and attention as well. When spare time found him, he would sneak away to his favorite fishing spot, only to catch and throw back, because it was only for the “thrill of the hunt,” he would always say.

When Sandra Horn entered Archie’s life, she changed him. His focus on fine clothes and finer cars shifted. He gave up the bachelor life to marry Sandy and they would build a beautiful life together for over twenty years until Sandy departed this life in January of 2014, after a long illness.

Archie loved life. He lived on his own terms, even when sickness tried to defeat him. He fought dialysis and won, for over sixteen years. When he departed this life on November 19, 2022, it was on his own terms, peacefully, at home, after connecting, in some way, with each of his siblings and all the people he loved. His terms. His way.

Archie was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Lee Hill and his wife, Sandra Horn Hill. Cherishing his memory is his family with Sandy: Tracy Lynn Horn and Tayo L. Horn; seven grandchildren: DeVaughn Griggs, Marriah McBride, Darius (A.J.) and Arrington (Drew) Stein, Eric and Talaya Ellis and a special grandson, Lucas Cope. Two great granddaughters Angellique Stein, Sasia Ali, and one great-grandson, Antonio Cornette. One sister-in-law, Lynn Horn; a second sister-in-law, Charlene Horn preceded him in death.

Forever honoring his memory are his siblings: Karen Bassett, James Hill, Edward Funches, Barbara Hill Austin (Herb), Minnie Howard (James), his beloved brother Theodore “George” Hill and baby sister Janet “GiGi” Hill Smith (Mark), and his "other" baby sister, Michele Johnson. Four nephews: Dwayne Quarles, William Bassett, Maurice and Micah Smith. His beloved nephews Ronald and Christopher Bassett and Mark Smith, Jr. preceded him in death. Three nieces: Janell Howard, Tamela Thomas Twyman and Jamie Lynn Hill.

It's rare to have friends from childhood, but Archie did. He will be remembered by his lifelong friend, Ernest Howard, as well as his friend "Ivan" and a host of friends he would spend time with often. Archie was raised in a close-knit family. His uncle, John "Buddy” Abram and his aunt, Ella Stover, with his cousin Carol Lewis, were close in age; they were not just cousins, they were friends. They too, will cherish his memory, along with aunts and uncles, cousins, great nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

Archie lived well. He can now rest well. His life and legacy will live on in all of us.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Archie Hill, please visit our floral store.