Hal Kent Hill

Hal Kent Hill, 85, of Wharton, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Born on January 26, 1941, in Lufkin, Texas, Kent was the loving son of Ollie Hal and Lois Anne Hill.

Before Kent's birth, his brother, Raymond Earl, died of diphtheria at age three. Kent knew him only through his mother’s poems and family stories, yet that loss stayed with him throughout his life.

A natural leader, Kent was elected president of his class all four years at Hudson High School, graduating as Salutatorian in 1958. He went on to earn a degree in Business from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. While at SFA, he was a member of the national honor scholarship fraternity Alpha Chi. It was during his senior year that he became engaged to Georgeana Lake, and the couple married in 1961.

Kent began his insurance career with INA (later CIGNA) in Dallas. The company sent him to Philadelphia for two years of advanced insurance training before returning him to Texas. Based in Houston, he traveled extensively across a large portion of the state, from San Antonio to Dallas to Lubbock, developing new business and reinsurance relationships.

It was during this time that he met Dee McElroy in Wharton, and at Dee’s encouragement, in 1973 made the move to Wharton, and the two formed McElroy/Hill Insurance. In 1996, Kent initiated the merger of several local insurance agencies to form Insurance Net, and he served as its president.

Deeply committed to his community, Kent joined Wharton Rotary Club in 1974 and later served as its president. He founded the Wharton Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) to help his adopted hometown grow and prosper. He also served nearly 50 years on the Gulf Coast Medical Foundation board, including as president, finding “noble work” in helping others.

A man of strong faith, Kent was a longtime member and elder (for 15 years) of Abell Street Church of Christ, describing it as “the highest calling” he could ever receive. He later joined First Baptist Church of Wharton, where he taught adult Bible study.

An avid hunter, Kent maintained deer leases across South Texas and traveled the world in pursuit of game, with successful hunts in Canada, South America, and Africa. Several of his trophies are recorded in Boone and Crockett and Safari Club International.

Kent was a gifted storyteller who loved swapping jokes and sharing family lore. His grandchildren especially cherished the adventures he created for them while they sat on his lap—most notably the tales of “Kent the Kangaroo,” whose magical pouch seemed to hold whatever was needed.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 64 years, Georgeana Lake Hill; his sister, Kay Delgado; his daughter, Jana Lyn Hill Rmeili and her husband Elias; his son, Russell Kent Hill and his wife Jamie Kirkendall Hill; his niece Kim Wells and her husband Steve; seven grandchildren in whom he delighted: Julie Tolleson and husband Jared, Ellie Watson and husband Ahmad, Melissa Chastain and husband Luke, Zachary Hill and wife Kristin, Morgan Hill, Andrew Hill, and Jacob Razor; his great-grandchildren Rowan Tolleson, London Tolleson, William Tolleson, Everett Tolleson, Von Watson, Evelyn Chastain, and Brooks Chastain; and his great-niece Jordan Fetgatter and her son, Tanner.

Kent often said, “I’ve had a wonderful life.” Those who knew him would agree—he lived it fully; with integrity, unparalleled generosity, and a deep and abiding love for his family and God, above all.

He will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Wharton with a meal and family visitation to follow afterwards in the fellowship hall.

Donations in memory of Kent Hill can be made to Gulf Coast Medical Foundation in his name to gulfcmf.org.

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home and condolences can be sent to whartonfuneralhome.com