A renowned local musician,
William G. "Bill" Hill, died on April 12, 2005 at the age of 90. As
a testimony to his life-long love of gospel and bluegrass music, he had
graciously donated several of his musical instruments for a permanent display at
the Bassett Historical Center prior to his death. These instruments are
ones that he played and had enjoyed for so many years.
 William G.
"Bill" Hill was born in Surry County, North Carolina and moved to Henry County
in 1932. The first time he was asked to play in this area was by Pastor W.
J. Yeaman at the First Baptist Church in Bassett. Bill was born into a
family with strong musical ties, and all members of his family played a musical
instrument. Bill and his brothers, Dewey and Sam, formed THE HILL BROTHERS
and broadcast on the radio stations and recorded traditional bluegrass and
ballads. He and his brother, Dewey, formed a group called the HENRY COUNTY
REVELERS, along with his brothers-in-law Lancaster Turner and Curtis Turner.
They enjoyed playing in churches and at dances along the North Carolina/Virginia
border. In 1980 when he retired from DuPont, Bill formed BILL HILL AND THE
SOUNDS OF COUNTRY. This group enjoyed sharing their music until ill health
forced Bill to retire his music several years ago. On display
is a full-sized VIOLA and it is really a treasure to musicians. The top is
of spruce, the back and sides are made of Rock Tiger curly maple, with ebony
trim. It was made around 1940 and was distributed by the Jackson Guidan
Violin Company of Columbus, Ohio. The
full-sized VIOLIN is a copy of the Giovan Paulo Maggini 1670 model. It has
all ebony trim and was made in the 1930s. The smaller
VIOLIN is called a three-quarter violin.
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