Feb. 12, 1944-March 18, 2009

Mr. Chester Hill, 65, Goldsboro retired chief of police, departed this life on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro.

Chester was born in Wayne County on February Feb. 12, 1944-March 18, 2009

Mr. Chester Hill, 65, Goldsboro retired chief of police, departed this life on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro.

Chester was born in Wayne County on February 12, 1944, to the late Roscoe and Rosie Harper Hill.

He began his education at Pikeville Training School and graduated from Norwayne High School in 1961. He advanced his education by attending many schools of higher education. He earned the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the state of North Carolina Department of Justice and was a 1979 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Chester joined the Goldsboro Police Depart-ment as a patrol beat officer in 1968. He advanced through the ranks over the years, and in 1992, he was appointed to the position of chief of police of Goldsboro. Chester became the first African-American to serve in this capacity in the department's history of 145 years. He retired in 1999 from the Goldsboro Police Department after 31 years of service.

During his career, he served on many boards and committees and received many accolades for his service. He was a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the governor of North Carolina.

Chester was a member of St. James A.M.E. Zion Church of Goldsboro. Also, he was the proud owner of Hill's Income Services for about 40 years.

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at 11 a.m. from the St. Mark Church of Christ, 700 W. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530, with the Rev. Dwight D. Cannon officiating. Burial will follow in the Wayne Memorial Park Cemetery, 2925 U.S. Hwy. 117 S., Goldsboro, N.C. The register book may be signed on Friday, March 20, 2009, at Hamilton Funeral Chapel, 423 S. James St., Goldsboro, N.C. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. One hour prior to Mr. Hill's service, a wake will be conducted on Saturday morning, March 21, 2009, at Saint Mark Church of Christ, 700 W. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with the family present to receive other family members and friends.

He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted and loving wife, Delores Artis Hill, of 34 years; a devoted son, Brandon Hill; a daughter, Rosa Rawls of Goldsboro; two sisters, Janice Hill and Edna Artis and husband, Walter, of Goldsboro; one brother, Robert Hill and wife, Barbara, of North Long Branch, N.J.; a stepmother, Minnie B. Hill; a mother-in-law, Mary A. Royal of Goldsboro; four sisters-in-law, Ethel Rodgers of Wilson, Mavis Regan and husband, Zeb, Linda Reese and husband, Ronald, of Goldsboro and Mary Person and husband, Carl, of Lorton, Va.; two brothers-in-law, Melvin Artis and wife, Carolyn, and Ralph Artis and wife, Ann; five grandchildren; one aunt, Eva Howell; one uncle, Brutus Howell; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; three special caretakers, Vivian Holden, Sylvia Lewis and Judy Artis; and a special nurse, Naomi Williams.