Our story begins with the purchase of nine barrels of apples. It is the proverbial “cloud with silver lining” story.
Our founder and his wife, Willie Cecil (“W.C.”) Hill and Sarah McCraw Hill were married in 1922 and lived on their family farm in Cana, VA. In 1924, W.C. bought nine barrels of apples intending to sale them in Winston-Salem, NC. He set out to Winston with the hopes to raise enough money to buy fertilize for their farm. When he arrived in Winston the next day, the apples were to quote W.C., “ever one black, just scalded ruined.” After unsuccessfully trying for two days to sell them, W.C. returned home and told Sarah he “might go down to Mr. Dowell’s he runs a big store in Mt. Airy, and might sell’em to him. He might give me some’im.” Mr. Dowell bought the apples at a considerable loss to W.C., but Mr. Dowell told him about a couple of acres of land in the Cana area that he would like to sell. So, while suffering a terrible loss on the apples, he ended up purchasing the land that would support them the rest of their lives.
W.C. Hill Tells Our Story:
On July 1, 1927, Hill’s General Store on U.S. Highway 52 in Cana opened its doors for business. In 1946, WC and Sarah moved from the family farm, giving the farmhouse to their eldest son, Osler (“W.O.”). Joining them in the move to the back of the little store was their five other children: Opal, Olin, Ozia, Oscar, and Orene. Later, they moved into a cabin behind the business, and in 1949, they built their permanent residence next door. read more
W.C. Hill – Founder (1902-1978). W.C. was our family’s original Jack-of-All-Trades. He was a primitive baptist minister, farmer, and father of six. His saga of nine barrels of apples started it all. He had a notorious sense of humor and was always into something. Just be glad you didn’t have to ride in a car with him, as he was always looking at 
Sarah Hill – Founder – W.C.’s Wife. While Grandpa (W.C.) was off farming, Sarah ran the store in the early days. It was probably not easy, not only was there a business to run, there was the household and their first child, W.O., needed a caretaker. Sarah was such a great manager of the business 
Oscar Hill – Owner – WC’s Son. Started working at the store at the age of 7 (in 1949)! He was so short when he started work, he had to stand on running boards of the customer’s pick up trucks in order to talk to the driver. In fact, he actually started working before he started attending school. Being the son of W.C., he picked up his father’s 
Barbara Hill – Owner – Oscar’s Wife. Barbara started working at Hill’s soon after marrying Oscar in 1960 (at the ripe old age of 16)! She started as a register girl, and over the years has had her hands in many different areas, including baking, marketing, and buyer of groceries and shoes. After the 1980 purchase of the business, 
Todd Hill – General Manager – WC’s Grandson. Todd spent his childhood in a playpen in the store. He has worked for the family business since 1973. He was 10 when he started as a gas boy and grocery bagger. Todd is a certified Certified Pedorthist and can help you with foot problems like plantar fasciitis, diabetes-related 
Delores Hill – Accounting – Todd’s Wife. Delores started working here at 1981 as a bookkeeper, checkout girl, and stocking shelves. She graduated from Surry Community College with a degree in Accounting in 1983. She is something of a Renaissance Woman. She loves reading (historical fiction), hiking, running (non-competitive), and 
Kyla Hill – Pedorthist – Todd’s Daughter. Kyla started work here at the age of 12. Her first job was as Chief Bathroom Cleaner and Cleanliness Supervisor. As she got older, she moved up the ranks to become a sales associate and assistant manager. She attended Bryan College in TN and graduated in 2010 with a double major in History and 
Krissa Hill – Sales Associate – Todd’s Daughter. Krissa, like her father, grew up in the store. In 2000, at the ripe old age of 10, Krissa took over Kyla’s job as Chief Bathroom Cleaner and Cleanliness Supervisor. She is a writer, having already written her first novel and is trying to get it
Tim Hill – Web Designer – WC’s Grandson. Tim started at Hill’s at the age of 10. He was a gas boy and register boy. He once held the job as Chief Bathroom Cleaner and Cleanliness Supervisor, but happily gave it up as soon as he could! Tim is the artist of the family. He is a classically trained singer and has sung with opera companies throughout 
Gerald Easter – Sales Associate – Delores’ Brother. Gerald has worked at Hill’s in many capacities over the years. He has been a gas boy, stock boy, and sales associate. Gerald is currently the Hill’s Shoes version of Mr. Haney from Green Acres. If you need it, he probably has it…in a storage unit. Gerald’s hobbies 
