Joseph Bruce Hill, Sr. 82 of Mechanicsville, MD died on May 10, 2009 at his home in Mechanicsville, MD.

Born on May 13, 1926 in Mechanicsville, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph Dixie Hill and Ida Catherine Thompson Hill. Mr. Hill returned to the Mechanicsville area 6 years ago, having lived in Clinton, MD since 1959.

He retired with rank of Lieutenant on the St. Elizabeth's Hospital Security Force in Washington, DC after 35 years of service. He also drove a taxi cab in Washington, DC from 1946-1984. In 1984 he began driving a school bus for the Prince George's County Department of Transportation working out of the Friendly Bus lot in Camp Springs, MD, retiring in 2002. He was a devoted husband and father. An avid gardener, he enjoyed cooking and canning his harvest. And he was always ready to help others.

Joseph Bruce Hill, Sr. is predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Jean Kelly Hill who passed on April 21, 2009.

Survived by his children and their spouses, Joseph B. and Toni Hill, William F. and Cathy Hill, James C. and Joyce Hill, Mary Jeanne and Bob Sheetz, Michael K. and Stacey Hill, and John A. and Evelyn Hill, 13 grandchildren, Christine, Sheri, Brendan, Mathew, Morgan, Kelly, Bobbi Jo, Shannon, Michael, Jane, Crystal, Jeanine, and John and 2 great-grandchildren, Katie and Johnny. He also survived by four sisters, Bessie Gray, Anna Larson, Helen Law and Catherine Ann Mullin.

He is predeceased by two sisters, Edith Hill, Eleanor (Ella) Pilkerton, and a brother William Douglas Hill.

Family will receive friends to Celebrate Bruce's Life on Thursday, May 14, 2009 from 2to4pm and 6to8pm, with prayers recited at 6:30pm at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Friday, May 15, 2009 at 11am in Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, with Father Timothy Baer officiating. Interment Private.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 399, LaPlata, MD 20646 and/or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.