Sheila Madeline (Handby) Hill

Sheila Handby Hill passed away peacefully at White Oaks Manor-Charlotte on November 14, at age 90.

Mrs. Hill, was born on June 10, 1927 in London, England to John E. and Kathleen Palmer-Day Handby.  The family soon moved to India where she spent the next 8 years.  In 1935 because of a violent earthquake in Quetta that killed thousands, her parents sent the four siblings back to England for safety.  When war erupted in Europe, the children were brought back to India, this time in the Kashmir region.

After finishing school, Sheila joined the Royal Indian Navy, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  It was in Calcutta that she met and married Lt. Wilson M. Hill, of the U.S. Army in February 1946.  From there she settled in Thomasville, NC for the next 55 years.  After Mr. Hill died in 1986, Sheila eventually moved to Charlotte to be near her daughter.

She is survived by her daughter Burma Carol H. Wooten (husband Robert) of Charlotte; son Wilson M. Hill, Jr. (husband Takao Kase) of Charlotte and Tokyo, Japan; daughter Imelda M. Hill (husband John Barlow) of Middle River, MD; grandchildren Sally W. Baker (husband Ryan) of Rock Hill, SC; Claire W. Rhodes (husband Chris) of Clemmons, NC; and John R. Wooten of Charlotte.  Her great-grandchildren are Colin, Logan, and Lilie Baker and Lawson and Emory Rhodes. She also has one remaining brother, Peter Handby of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; sister-in-law Joyce Handby of Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia; and brother-in-law Charles C. Rhodes (formerly of Thomasville, NC) and niece Robin Rhodes (wife Linda Laforte) of Stewart, FL. She also has many other nieces, nephews and cousins who live in North Carolina, Australia, England, and France.

Burial will be in Thomasville, NC at a date to be determined later.  Memorials may be addressed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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