James Paul Hill

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father James 'Jim' Paul Hill, 76, of New Freedom, PA. Jim passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, September 27, 2024 following years of navigating several health challenges.

Born on April 3, 1948 in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of Paul and Mary Lucille (Tudor) Hill. Growing up in Hampstead, MD, Jim graduated from North Carroll High School in 1966. It was during his teenage years that his two greatest passions in life, music and cars, began to take shape. He loved the music of the 50’s and 60’s and began disc jockeying and hosting local dances in the area. The money raised from these dances supported his love of cars and drag racing.

In 1962, Jim and his oldest brother, Bill, began drag racing together and eventually partnered with their friend Carlton Denner, forming the Hill-Denner-Hill team that raced together for many years. First competing with modified productions and later changing to dragsters, they participated in races in Indianapolis, Spring Nationals and Thunder Valley. Their B/Gas dragster is recognized in the Don Garlits Hall of Fame. He was also the proud owner of '63, '66 and '70 Corvettes.

After high school, Jim began working for Black and Decker as a mold maker apprentice. He went on to hold different technical and leadership positions before ending his career in the Engineering Department at AAI Corporation.

In 1970, he met his future wife Linda at a car wash in Manchester, MD. He was driving a 1970 Corvette, she was driving a 1969 Pontiac LeMans and the rest was history. They wed in 1972 and had two children, Jordan and Megan. Jim and Linda celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in April 2024. His love for his children was one of his most defining qualities and he never missed an opportunity to express his pride and support in everything his children did.

Jim was best known for his kindness, his great sense of humor, charity, and selflessness. He had a wonderful way with words and was known to write letters and send cards to his children, family, friends, military service members or anyone in his community he felt could use a word of encouragement. He loved to laugh and his quick wit and playful personality always brought out laughter in others.

He had an immense love of dogs, with a special place in his heart for golden retrievers, but never managed to resist any dog that was eager to greet him. His two most faithful companions, Butterscotch and Homer are surely happy to be reunited with their best friend in Heaven. The two dogs he leaves behind, Sophie and Seymour, are already missing the food scraps he would sneak them under the table almost as much as they miss his gentle affection.

Jim was an incredibly hard worker and found much fulfillment in working with his hands. It wasn't often he'd encounter a mechanical or building issue he couldn't solve. As someone who was curious, inquisitive and possessed great mechanical aptitude, he seemed to know a bit about everything. If ever you needed help with completing a project or repair, he was always eager to help and find a solution.

Above all else, Jim loved his family and cherished time spent together with his loved ones. Affectionately known by his grandchildren as "Huey", he was incredibly proud to be a grandfather. He marveled at each milestone he witnessed in his young grandbabies and made every effort to make as many memories as he could with them.  We will be forever grateful for his unwavering love, support, and commitment to being an amazing man who will be greatly missed by so many.

Jim was predeceased by his parents Paul and Mary Lucille, and sister-in-law Vicki L. Hill.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda Spicer Hill, son Jordan Hill (Lindsay Armstrong), daughter Megan de Jesus (Alex), his beloved grandchildren Lucille “Lucy” James and Oscar "Ozzy" Edward de Jesus, his brothers William "Bill" Hill (Carol), Paul Hill Jr. (Theresa), and Richard "Pat" Hill (Bonnie), as well as several nieces and nephews, extended family, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, Jim expressed his wish for donations to be made in his memory to the following organizations: Parke Memorial UMC (18910 York Rd, Parkton, MD 21120), St. Jude, or Animal Rescue, Inc. (2 Heritage Farm Dr, New Freedom, PA 17349).

A visitation will be held in place of a viewing at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., 24 N. Second St., New Freedom, PA 17349 on Wednesday, October 9th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The family will be planning a celebration of life to take place in spring of 2025 as Jim had expressed his wish for everyone to be together and share laughs, stories and fond memories.