James Robert Hill

James Robert Hill, 78, passed away on Sunday, September 3.

The son of James Wright and Martha Cochran Hill, Jim was born in Atlanta and spent his childhood in Florida. He moved to Louisville for his high school years, attending Atherton High School and graduating from Aquinas Prep in 1963. He then went on to attend the University of the South, Sewanee, TN, graduating in 1967.

Jim enjoyed a long, colorful and productive career in areas ranging from insurance (Senior VP of Harris & Co and National Sales Director of Humana Inc) and healthcare (Vice President, Norton Healthcare) to publishing (books include The Island Barbados and Christmas in Barbados). He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of the South and for Youth Alive. While he lived most of his adult life in Louisville, he also traveled widely, tending business interests in the Caribbean and living with his family for a year in Barbados.

Jim had a big personality, and was beloved by his legions of friends and colleagues. He loved sports of all kinds, especially the U of L Cards, and doted on his many family dachshunds and granddogs. He connected with people easily and he remained upbeat and courageous even as his mind and body began to fail him. He was devoted to his family, wife of 57 years, Cathy (Catherine Burdorf Hill) son, Gant Hill and his fiancee Annie Bender, and daughters and sons-in-law Raleigh and Alan Swift and Susan and Matt Stack; and his grandchildren, Luke and Sam Swift, Norah and Philip Hill, and Campbell, Henry and Raleigh Stack. Jim is also survived by his beloved sister and brother-in-law Susan and John McCord, niece and nephew, Catherine McCord Gordon and John McCord and their families.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, Sept 14, at 10:00 at St Francis-in-the-Fields Church with a reception immediately following the service.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Essex Nursing and Rehab Center for their skilled and loving care during his final months.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the University of the South, Sewanee, TN, the Olmsted Parks Conservancy or St Francis in-the-Fields Episcopl Church.