Mayor Will Hill
William "Will" Hill was born and raised in Louisville, Mississippi, where his roots in Winston County helped shape his strong connection to community and public service. After high school, Hill attended Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Hill began his professional career in the hospitality industry, serving as general manager of hotel properties in Starkville and Louisville. After several years of managing hotels and other businesses for a privately held company, he achieved an entrepreneurial goal in 2004 when he established his own company and became owner and operator of the Best Western Red Hills Inn in Louisville. In 2007, he expanded his business operations with the establishment of The Bypass Restaurant.
After selling the hotel and restaurant operations, Hill's company acquired Louisville radio station WLSM-FM in 2013. He and his wife, Sarah, continue to own and operate the station. His years as a business owner—working directly with the public, managing employees, and operating multiple businesses—helped strengthen his commitment to service and ultimately influenced his decision to pursue public office.
Public Service and Leadership
Mayor Hill was first elected Mayor of the City of Louisville in 2009 and is currently serving his fifth term. Throughout his tenure, he has remained actively involved in organizations supporting municipal government, economic development, healthcare, and the Louisville and Winston County community.
Mayor Hill serves on the Board of Directors and Legislative Committee of the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) and is a member of the East Central and North Mississippi Mayors Associations. He has also been asked to lead a Mississippi Municipal League initiative focused on disaster response and support for local leaders.
In addition, Mayor Hill serves as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Municipal Service Company (MMSC) and as chairman of the MMSC Workers' Compensation Plan.
His community service has included the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Winston County Economic Development District Partnership Board of Directors, Louisville Rotary Club, and numerous volunteer organizations. From 2012 to 2017, Hill served on the Executive Committee of the Winston County Medical Foundation Board of Directors, including serving as chairman during the final two years of his term.
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Leadership Through Disaster and Recovery
On April 28, 2014, an EF4 tornado devastated Louisville and Winston County, claiming ten lives, destroying hundreds of homes and more than one million square feet of industrial space, and severely damaging local healthcare facilities. As Mayor of Louisville, a member of the Executive Committee of the Winston County Medical Foundation Board of Directors, and an owner of the local radio station, Hill was deeply involved in the community's emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. In the years that followed, Winston Medical Center expanded services and rebuilt a comprehensive healthcare community after its facilities were destroyed by the tornado. Mayor Hill's leadership during the recovery received recognition at the local, state, and national levels. In 2016, he received the U.S. Small Business Administration Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official, presented during National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. He was also presented with the Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award in recognition of his leadership and service following the disaster. Community and Family Mayor Hill and his wife, Sarah, are the proud parents of three children, Kellynn, Trip, and Eva. The Hill family attends First Presbyterian Church of Louisville, where he serves as an elder. Will and Sarah have restored multiple homes in Louisville, reflecting their continued personal investment in the community they call home. While his responsibilities in public service, business, and community life keep him busy, Mayor Hill values time with his family above all. |
Mayor Hill with Governor Bryant and MEMA Representatives after the 2014 tornado
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