David Leslie Hill

David Leslie Hill was born into the loving family of Thelma Halsted Hill and Ralph Augustine Hill on January 28, 1932. He was the middle child of three, and his siblings, Leonard Edmond Hill and Flola Elizabeth Wright have preceded him to heaven. His loving wife Janet Nabors Hill survives him, as does his son John David Hill, and his daughters, Deborah Lynette Hill and Jana Leigh Gillham and their spouses. His legacy continues in grandchildren Natalie Lynn Beams, Michael David Hill, and Mallory Claire Hill.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Les primarily grew up in Oklahoma where his father served in Baptist ministry and his mother taught music. His father joined the U.S. Airforce as a chaplain in W.W. II. Through the war years, Les helped his mother and family manage a small acreage during his father's absence. After the war, his father was base chaplain for Clark Field Air Force Base in the Philippines. A college student by then, Les traveled to spend the summer with his family. The experience cemented his early calling to full-time ministry and foreign missions.
Les met his wife Jan at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. They wed May 25, 1956, and formed a deeply bonded relationship that sustained them and their growing family through pastorates in San Antonio Texas and ultimately 38 years serving with the Foreign Mission Board (later known as the International Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention. Their missionary career began in 1963 in the Philippines.
Responsibilities grew beyond the Philippines to span work across Southeast Asia in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Nepal and Sri Lanka. As a missionary resource specialist, Les evaluated the efficacy of mission efforts in 11 countries, including Brazil and Nigeria. His accomplishments are many and varied: starting churches, managing building projects, pastoral training and counseling, authoring textbooks, seminary administration, missionary support and much more. Of note: He developed and directed the PhilBEST extension seminary, enabling pastor training via distance learning, and also served terms as seminary president in both the Philippines and Singapore.
The Hills retired in Lexington, Kentucky in 2001, where they continued active ministry for many years, with short term assignments in the Philippines, Singapore, Romania and Belize. Active in the choir, Sunday School and senior adult events at Calvary Baptist Church, Les and Jan were embraced by that congregation of believers.
Driven by the desire for people to come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, Les was a gifted educator with a passion to equip others for Christian service. His personal relationship with the Lord showed up on a daily basis in many ways, even through the sufferings brought by advanced age. Love for his wife and family, kindness, gentleness, humor, the willingness to listen, a love of learning focused on continued study of God's word, generosity, concern for his neighbors, and the desire that God be glorified, marked his life. A role model and mentor for many, we thank God and bless David Leslie Hill for his legacy of a life well-lived. Solo Deo Gloria.
Memorial Service: Thursday, April 17, 12:00 PM at Calvary Baptist Church, 150 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky
Visitation: 11:00 AM
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a financial gift to Calvary Baptist Church.
Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.