The death of William Hill, on November 8, 1914, came as a shock to many of his friends, who had little idea that his cheery countenance hid a mind liable to fits of depression. Born at Hitchin, August 2, 1849, he was educated at Denmark Hill Grammar School, and appears to have entered at an early age into the public life of his native town. He held positions on the Board of Guardians, Local Board, Urban District Council, Hospital Board, Savings Bank, Corn Exchange, Burial Board, etc., and was created County Magistrate in 1895. On all these positions he brought to bear his geological knowledge, greatly to the advantage of his fellow-townsmen.