Wayland Lee Hill

Wayland Lee Hill, 82, passed into eternity on May 24, 2024. He was a lifelong resident of Carrizozo, New Mexico. He also had family in east Texas, his father having moved to NM to work with the CCCs. Following graduation, he and his High School sweetheart, Opal, married and started their family. 

Wayland had many jobs and occupations over the years: Otero Electric Co-op and Lincoln County Jail were the bookends of his working life. He also owned a laundromat and auto repair business. He retired as Jail Administrator in 1997. 

He took part in civic activities such as Lion's Club, serving on the board of the gas company, leading Boy Scouts for many years, and finishing with a stint in the volunteer Fire Department. He talked often of the joy he derived from the Scouts' meetings, community involvement, and camping trips. 

If a previous inmate recognized him when he was in public, they would often come up and visit, always happy to see him. He was a friendly man with a very big heart, and his love and generosity spread far beyond his immediate family. His lifelong passion was classic cars, and he loved the music from those times even though he was quite tone deaf. He leaves a legacy of love, integrity, and hard work. 

Wayland is survived by four children: Cristabel (Randy) Barnes of Tucson, Arizona, Annette Vega, Walter (Becky) Hill and Phil Hill of Carrizozo, New Mexico. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way), and a brother, Marvin (Carmen) Hill of Carrizozo. 

Funeral services will be held 10:00am Saturday, June 1^st, 2024, at the Capitan Church of Christ (420 Lincoln Ave. Capitan, NM 88316). Visitation and viewing for family and friends will begin at 9:30am before the service. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Carrizozo.

In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to Capitan Church of Christ toward their children's activities fund.