Albert Hill

So let me tell you about why we are all here today. On April 8, 1935 Dorothy Lou Mauldine and General Hill conceived a king in Mobile, Alabama. This young king was named Albert Hill. Around the age of seven, Albert moved to Cleveland, Ohio with his mother and grandmother before finally settling in a couple of years later on the east side of Detroit Michigan. As a youth, Albert was a typical Lil boy in the fact that he was mischievous, rambunctious, a prankster and a jokester. He would often devilishly laugh as he reminisced about cracking jokes in the confectionery, throwing eggs or playing dingdong ditch on Halloween… or his favorite tying two cans of water together by string, waiting for an unsuspecting victim to get his feet tangled in his trap. But in contrast, Albert was different from his peers, with his maturity, work ethic and character. At the age of 15, he purchased his first vehicle with the money he earned from an extensive paper route. He was featured in the Michigan Chronicle for helping his neighborhood and community with a rodent problem. Albert also took 2nd prize in a drawing contest for the local paper. Albert was very competitive as a youth. He was very athletic, would take any challenge or dare that was given to him. he loved boxing and weightlifting. He would perform feats of strength throughout the neighborhood, earning him the nickname muscles.

At the age of 24, Albert married Neomi Smothers. From that union, 3 complex children were born-Veronica, Vincent, & Victor. Albert loved spending time with his family and would often take them to the park, the state fair, shows & boxing matches. Albert would run through a brick wall about his children, especially his daughter. He was a dedicated family man and did whatever it took to put food on the table including working long hours at Ford Motor Company. Albert’s mom was married twice in her lifetime, once to Rev Arthur Dupree & her second to Elder James Milton Via. However, the second marriage would prove to be special in the fact that Elder Via came into the union with children already.-8 to be exact. Albert growing up as an only child, took this opportunity to embraced his new brothers and sisters with love only a big brother could show.

Albert would eventually move to New Haven, Connecticut to be closer with his siblings. It was here that he met the love of his life, Gwen Wirely, who he has remained with for the past 30 years. Although Albert was not a formally educated man, he definitely had a lot of common sense in a world where sense is not always common. He was a self educated man often philosophizing. about politics and life. If you knew him, you knew he preferred to stand while he was visiting with keys in hand. He had this masculine, mysterious superhero vibe about him. Often coming to the rescue of those that needed him most. One minute you would be talking to Albert turn your head and look & He’s gone like Batman or something. He didn’t like saying goodbye. It was always about being present. Albert was many things to a lot of people. He was a son- brother-Father-Dad-Unk-Husband-companion-Friend-philosopher & musician. Yes he even played the harmonica! He loved harmony & do-wop music.

Albert was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy, his father General Hill, his stepfather’s Arthur Dupree, and James Via, his wife Neomi, his daughter Veronica, his brothers Lenell, David, Freddy & Monroe Via. He leaves to cherish his memory, his companion, Gwen Wirely; (3) Sisters Alonda, Hazel, Joyce(2) sons Vincent and Victor(Lisa), (4) grandchildren Demetrius, Cidney, Dior, Victor and a host of nieces and nephews to numerous to name.

A celebration of Albert’s life will be held on Saturday November 2, 2024 at 11am at Thomas Chapel Church of Christ 30 White Street, New Haven, CT. Viewing in Church from 10-11am. Condolences may be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.