SFC Thomas "Silent Bob" Wendell Hill

SFC Thomas “Silent Bob” Wendell Hill, age 49, of Morenci, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at this home. He was born on February 20, 1972, in Cheboygan, MI, the son of Douglas and Sandra (Verville) Hill. He was a graduate of Cheboygan High School. On February 15, 2008, in Toledo, OH, he married Appolonia “Loni” Feinauer and she survives. He was currently employed at North Star Steel Company.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Thomas Wendall Hill served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1989 to 1994 including two deployments to Japan (1991-1992) and Somalia (1994). After a brief break in service, SFC Hill joined the Michigan Army National Guard as a 11B, Infantryman, and served honorably for 12 years with 3 deployments to Egypt, Iraq, and Afghanistan with the 125 Infantry Battalion. SFC Hill served as a Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader for Charlie, Delta, and Echo Companies and spread his professionalism and knowledge with subordinates and superiors alike. His nickname of “Silent Bob” derives from his serious, quiet demeanor and stoic military bearing but he loved a good joke amongst his team. While deployed, he mentored countless Soldiers, led men honorably through hell and high water, and took personal responsibility for every Soldier he served with. After departing from the Infantry, he transferred to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion in 2013 and has continued to mentor, develop, and aid new recruits into becoming Soldiers. His position as a Cadre Member for the Recruit Sustainment Program awarded him the opportunity to prepare freshly enlisted Soldiers for Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) by teaching military customs and courtesies, basic medical aid, basic rifle marksmanship, and tactics.

SFC Thomas Wendall Hill’s Federal Military Awards and Decorations are as follows:  Bronze Star Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Six Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Three National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Two Meritorious Unit Commendations, Two Sea Service Ribbons, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Three Overseas Service Ribbons, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Three Armed Forces Reserve Medals with M Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Two Iraq Campaign Medals. When not serving his country, Tom enjoyed the great outdoors with his family, was an avid dog lover, enjoyed spicy foods, but, most of all, he loved spending time with his grandbabies.

In addition to his wife and his parents, Tom is survived by his children, Ambrose Lorcan Hill, Maisy Jean Hill, Mia Grace Hill, Zion Cately, Andrea Nicole (Nathan Blaker) Mikuski, and Samantha Kay (Johnny Alcantar) Mikuski; three grandchildren, Saoirse, Evalene, and Lily; and one brother, Samuel (Amy) Hill. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral services were held in Adrian, MI, where SFC Thomas Wendall Hill was posthumously promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family thru the crowdfunding link https://andersonfuneralservices.com/tribute/details/3861/Thomas-Hill/obituary.html.

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