The Revd Paul Frederick Hill: 1952-2023
Former RAF chaplain who bought a house and rented rooms to other Christians; known not just as a landlord, but as a friend and mentor
On 5 August this year, Paul was on holiday in France and on a cycling trip into Avignon when he was in collision with a car and sustained a serious head injury. He was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at North Hospital in Marseilles but sadly never regained consciousness and "passed away comfortably, accompanied by the hospital priest" on 16 August at the age of 71.
In 1970 when Paul left Brockley County Grammar School for Boys in South East London, he started working in the financial market, working his way up over several years, to a position at Lloyds of London.
However, within a few years his life was to change completely. Many years later when he was asked what had started him on his path, he answered that he had attended a Billy Graham-style Baptist rally and when the call came "I walked forward and gave my life to Jesus".
Paul moved from the financial market into Social Services and eventually managed a "Last Chance" hostel for men which proved to be quite exciting, although he seemed undaunted by some of the difficult situations he encountered.
In 1976 he wanted to extend his religious knowledge and joined Spurgeon's College on a four year course leading to him obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Theology in 1979, followed by a Diploma in Pastoral studies in 1980. During his course his "work experience" included a spell as assistant to the minister at Putney Baptist Church in 1977, and then from 78 to 79 as pastor at Brondesbury Baptist Church.
He then moved to Switzerland for three years studying Pastoral Counselling at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Ruschliken. During his summer breaks between 1981 and 1983 he went to the USA as an exchange student and worked with the Baptist church and YMCA at Pinetrees Boys Summer Camp in Dallas. Paul really enjoyed working in the USA and in 1984 he was offered a permanent job there with the Baptist church in Dallas but unfortunately was unable to obtain a permament work permit due to the stringent employment rules.
In 1986 Paul joined Bushey Baptist Church as associate minister with oversight for youth work. Despite his title Paul was well known for his ability to connect with people of all ages.
Then in 1991 Paul joined the RAF to train as a chaplain and graduated from the RAF College Cranwell on 13 February 1992. He served at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus assisting the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and then RAF St Athan in South Wales.
In 1995 Paul started the venture for which many people remember him. Although he was shortly to move to Southampton, he purchased a house in Herga Road, Harrow, and began renting out rooms to other Christians, latterly using the services of "Christian FlatShare". Over the last 28 years, scores of people must have lived there, and he has been described as "not just a landlord, but a friend and mentor" and "someone who helped me through a tough time in my life".
That same year Paul took up a position as one of the chaplains at Southampton General Hospital, where he remained until he retired in 2015. After retiring Paul remained living in Southampton where he had many friends, but regularly travelled up to London and stayed at his house in Harrow where he kept his own room. During these visits he would return to Bushey Baptist Church to worship and as a member of their Sunday School teacher rota.
Paul loved travelling and every year for at least 25 years, he has been going skiing in the winter and camping in France in the summer. Many of his friends were first met on one of these holidays. Since he retired he has also discovered the delights of cruising, mainly European, and has been going on those a couple of times a year.
Paul will be sadly missed by his many friends and ex-colleagues, and particularly at Christmas by his brother's family who he always joined for the celebrations.
Paul's Funeral Service was held at Bushey Baptist Church on 17 November and can still be viewed online via the church's YouTube channel.
Jim Hill