Former Sgt. Johnny Freemon Hill was born on December 29, 1953, to the late Shellie Hill Sr. and Johnnie Mae Dickerson-Hill in Arkadelphia. He was born and raised in a Christian home full of siblings and lots of love.

Johnny attended school in Arkadelphia and graduated from Arkadelphia High School class of 1972. After high school he furthered his education attending Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. Johnny was no stranger to hard work and firmly believed in the Holy Bible’s words of, “A man who does not work, does not eat.” Johnny’s calling was to protect and serve so he decided to join the police academy. After vigorous trainings and experience, he became an officer of the law for the Arkadelphia Police Department. Johnny retired with over 16-plus years experience as a sergeant/shift commander with the Arkadelphia Police Department. After retirement, Johnny felt there was still more work left for him to do. He was employed at the Arkadelphia Human Development Center as a Residential Care Tech, a substitute teacher for the Arkadelphia Public School and Henderson State University for four years as a security police officer. His last job was security guard at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. 

Johnny was a kindhearted, strong-willed man who loved the Lord and served him until his last days. He worshipped and attended many churches, including Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Gennesaret Missionary Baptist Church, and New Generation Baptist Church all of Arkadelphia. One of his hobbies he enjoyed in his spare time was fishing. He held a quiet, laid-back demeanor yet never was afraid to speak his mind and tell it like it is. He was a people person and loved being amongst friends and family who he could share nuggets of wisdom to whenever he got the chance. Family meant everything to Johnny. He was a caring man and helped anyone he could in need. He impacted many lives of youth and young adults giving clothing, opening his home, sharing experiences and wisdom. He wanted all children to go down the right path. He was especially encouraging to his own children who he wanted nothing but the best for and led by example. 

To know Johnny was to love him. He made his transition to his heavenly home on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs. Johnny Freeman Hill is survived by his four children: Robert (Aleta) Turner and Bradley Hill (Jameela Muhammad), both of Tacoma, Wash., Nicole (Mark) Stuart-Perkins of Hot Springs, Patrick (Evia) Hill of Little Rock; one sister, Ruthie N. Hill-Gibson, of Arkadelphia; two brothers, Shellie J.A. Hill Jr. and Alvin Hill Sr., both of Arkadelphia; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his passing and forever cherish his memory.

Funeral services are under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visitation will be Friday, November 11, at the funeral home from noon-5 p.m. Funeral services will be on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Gennesaret Missionary Baptist Church in Arkadelphia at 11 a.m. with Pastor Charles A. Hood serving as eulogist. Burial and final resting place will be at Richmond Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia.