Woodrow Thomas Hill, Jr. 85 of Hollywood, MD passed away on July 22, 2024 in Prince Frederick, MD.
He was born on February 13, 1939 in St. Mary’s County, MD to the late Woodrow Thomas Hill, Sr. and Rosie Jeanette (Weeks) Hill. As the oldest of five, he weighed in at a whopping thirteen pounds.
Woodrow was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and graduated from Great Mills High School. He served in the U.S. Army from November 25, 1958 until his honorable discharge on February 26, 1962. Woodrow was employed at the Patuxent Naval Air Station all the while running a small business on the side selling live crabs. He thoroughly enjoyed his days out on the water as a waterman and took early retirement from the base in 1993. Woodrow, then dedicated his efforts full-time to expanding his live crab business. With assistance from his dear friend Diane, some friends and family members he was typically running 2-3 box trucks on weekends. They had regular locations as far as New Carrollton (his favorite clientele) moving 100-200 bushels of crabs and on Holiday weekends as many as 300-400 bushels. After stepping away from the business in his mid- 60s he took on some odd jobs such as driving a cab to keep himself busy but was also battling some health issues. After successfully battling lung cancer in 2020 he decided at 81 Years of age that he wanted to make another run at the Live Crab business trying to relive those glory years. Unfortunately, it was also the height of the Covid Pandemic and people were a bit hesitant to buy crabs from a truck. His hopes to achieve the heights he once reached were sadly cut short and health concerns interfered landing him under nursing center care over the last 3 years. During that time, he looked forward to weekend visits from his daughter and son-in-law who as he said, “sprung him out” and took him to sit by the water at Solomon’s or for some steamed crabs and fried oysters. Sometimes they would bring along his great-granddaughters or his beloved Black Lab, Tyson. He was always very appreciative of those days and told them on a recent visit “I’ve lived a good life.”
He is survived by his children, Terri Ann Bell (Charlie, Sr.) of Stewartstown, PA; Josh Frericks of Hollywood, MD., who was like a son ; siblings, Donald Hill (Debbie) of Hollywood, MD, Charles Kenneth “Kenny” Hill (Carolyn) of Hollywood, MD; grandchildren, Charlie Bell, Jr. (Holly), Ethan Frericks, Lexi Frericks, Vanessa Frericks; great grandchildren, Lexxi Klingmeyer, Kenzlie Bell; many nieces and nephews and his beloved black lab, Tyson. He was preceded in death by his son, Woodrow Thomas “Woody” Hill, III; brothers, Joseph “Bootsie” Hill, Wayne Hill, and girlfriend, Diane Frericks.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 2, 2024 from 10:30 to 12:00 noon with a funeral service officiated by Rev. Joe Orlando at 12:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, 26325 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s County Animal Welfare League (SMAWL), P.O. Box 1232, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.
