Joseph Hill Obituary

Joseph D. Hill gained his wings on October 23, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was embraced by the continuous supportive love of family and friends as he neared the end of his battle with dementia.

Joseph was born on March 13, 1947, in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Fannie Lois Baskin. Several years later, her husband, Herman Hill, Sr., took on the role of father for the early years of his life.

After graduating from Beloit Memorial High School, Joseph obtained a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Wisconsin (UW), Whitewater, a master's degree in urban planning from UW-Milwaukee, and his law degree from the University of Houston, Texas. He entered private practice after returning to Wisconsin in 1980. He was well respected for his no-nonsense, yet powerful, caring approach in his passion for being the voice for others in the legal and court system.

Joseph gave credit to his beloved maternal grandmother and grandfather (Fannie and Simon Baskin) for helping shape his core values of the importance of God, family, dignity and the drive for excellence in his life.

Joseph was involved with the Police and Fire Commission in Dane County, as well as the United Way in Madison, Wisconsin. He was a 2014 recipient of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute award recognizing outstanding individuals making an impact in the black community. He was a proud founding member of the Beta Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at UW-Whitewater.

In 2004, Joseph started working with the Madison School district in their truancy and expulsion program. He was deeply committed to assuring that the upcoming generation had all the available educational opportunities afforded them after taking a sidestep in life. His influence was felt by many families; many coming to him years afterwards in appreciation for his interventions that allowed their family members to grow and take steps in a positive, productive way.

Joseph was a true lover of sports, playing football and basketball during his middle and high school years. He also loved to golf and took great joy in traveling around the various courses in Wisconsin with his buddies to do a little golfing and a lot of trash talking. So much so that he became a founding member of the annual "Trash Talking Golf Invitational" held in the Madison area. Additionally, he was the finest of "Couch Coaches" during the Wisconsin Badgers' football games.

Music was something that fed Joseph's soul from a very young age. He looked forward to attending favorite R & B concerts and smooth jazz fests with his wife, Susan. He loved good BBQ, hamburgers, and a bag of peanut M&Ms. The ocean called to him on his many trips to Jamaica and Mexico. He was legendary for his famous cinnamon rolls. No chocolate chip cookie was safe when he walked through the kitchen.

Joseph was the cherished husband of Susan Hill, whom he married in 2006. He was the beloved father to Natreece Hollins, Damani (Kortney) Hill, and Anika (C.J.) Neal. He stepped into the role of much-loved Daddy #2 to Emily Strandwitz (Derek Stoffel), Philip (Tara) Strandwitz and Mitchel (Chelsea Feck) Strandwitz.

Joseph was blessed with the title of "Pepa" by Nayanna, Jaylah and Maliya Hollins, Aria, Nadia, Caleb, Briea and Zoe Neal, and Kennedi and Raegan Hill, affectionately referring to them as his "Talented Tenth". He is further survived by his sister, Pam Weatherall, sister-in-law, Mary Pierce Hill, brothers-in-laws, Lanier (Laurie), Gordon and James Gordon. He was deeply loved and respected by his aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins in the Hill, Baskin and Gilliam families, and many dear friends he made through life. He was preceded in death by his mother, Fannie, siblings Herman Hill, Jr, Anthony Hill, Lauren Hill Davis, and brother-in-law, Wesley Weatherall.

A very special thank you to devoted friends, Amos Anderson, Allen Franklin, Larry Sain, Juan Fernandez, Charles Tubbs, Manny Scarborough, Earnie Allen, and all who visited Joseph on a routine basis during his decline in health and showered him with love.

The visitation will be on Friday, November 14, at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Blackhawk Evangelical Church, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, Wisconsin.

A private graveside service will be held for family and friends at East Lawn Cemetery at 2200 Milwaukee Rd in Beloit, Wisconsin after the service.

Remembrances in Joseph's name would be warmly welcomed and can be sent to the United Way of Dane County, One City School, or Omega School.