The HONORABLE VICTOR LAMONT HILL (ret.) of Little Rock, Ark., 67, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023. He was born on April 18, 1955, in Little Rock, Ark., and grew up in the Wrightsville community. Judge Hill graduated from Wilbur D. Mills High School; completed his undergraduate studies, majoring in philosophy and minoring in religion, at the University of Arkansas Little Rock; received a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; and earned his Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law. After law school, he worked at the East Arkansas Legal Services where he did substantial work advancing voting rights in Crittenden County. He became a supervising attorney before running for judicial office. From 2000-2016, Judge Hill served as the Division 6 judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Arkansas, which includes Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett Counties. While on the bench, Judge Hill started and presided over Mental Health Court and Veterans Court—programs designed to reduce recidivism rates and provide treatment and rehabilitation rather than incarceration. His colleagues described him as being brilliant, fair, kind, funny, and compassionate.
Judge Hill had many hobbies, including, martial arts and body building, drawing, vegan cooking, playing chess, gardening, and writing. He especially enjoyed jazz music and loved playing his many saxophones in the courthouse and beyond. He was truly a renaissance man.
He is survived by his mother, Ruth Octavia Hill; children, Imani Hudson Hill of Atlanta, Ga., and Barake Lamont Hill; siblings, William Hill, Jr., Tanya Y. Hill of Englewood, N.J., Lonnie A. Hill, Betty I. Hill, and Kenneth J. Hill of Los Angeles, Calif.; sister-aunt, LaVenia E. Bell; and siblings in love, Carson Harris, Jacqueline Hill, Pamela Hill Harkenride, Tommy Hill, Clayburn Hill, Andre Hill; along with a host of devoted aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Hill, Sr.; brother, Allen Hill; grandmothers, Annie Baugh and Treopia Bell; and grandfathers, Charlie Baugh, Archester Hill, and Andrew Bell.
Family Hour: Saturday, January 7, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m., at Ruffin and Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St., Little Rock, Ark., 72202. His homegoing celebration will follow immediately thereafter.
The Lynch and Hargrove families send our deepest condolences to the family of the Honorable Victor Hill. In all his doings he lived up to the title. He was a voice for integrity, excellence and justice in all that he did. He will be deeply missed.
Victor and I awarded our ? Black Belts together training together for years going to tournaments we both went to UALR I went to graduate school City University Seattle and Doctorate Florida we remain friends from teenagers Victor working my corner when I was a professional kickboxing champion
I will never forget the fairness and the calm demeanor of Judge Hill when he presided over the trial of the person who murdered my beloved niece, in 2002. Thank you, Judge Hill. Our family will always be grateful for your kindness coupled with your amazing knowledge and control of your courtroom.
I first met Victor when I began working at East Arkansas Legal Services in October of 1988. I was fresh out of law school and began working in the West Helena office where Victor was the senior attorney. Victor always had weights in his office. He loved to take care of himself and it showed. Victor was very adept at researching the law, but was a terrible driver. Once, we traveled from from West Memphis to a conference in Little Rock – he drove. He drove BELOW the speed limit in the fast lane of I-40 west most of the way!! Faster driving motorists were passing us on the right and expressing their displeasure. Victor was in deep discussion regarding the law and music the whole way. He was oblivious to the traffic around us. That was Victor – focused on the law and his music. I came onto the Circuit Court bench in 2015, and that provided an opportunity to get to be reacquainted with Victor. He was still the same Victor. He will be greatly missed by those who had an opportunity to get to know him.
Let the love around you, and within you soothe your grief and pain. Our loved one has gone home. Rejoicing with you as heaven welcomes such a beautiful soul. my prayers are with you .
Sandra Baugh
We want to acknowledge the great life of our Nephew, Victor Hill. As a former attorney, who never reached my potential, in the practice of law, I was still a success through my Honorable Nephew and all of his great legal accomplishments. I experienced the “Victory” because of Victor! The lofty professional legal positions did not escape the “HILL” name.
Praise the LORD, always! On behalf of our family and The Men of JESUS, Inc., founded FY2000, we shall always remember through our records and memories, the wonderful blessed life of The Honorable Victor Lamont Hill!