David S. Hill
Boating and taking his Jeep on the beach with friends were two of David S. Hill’s great joys, his wife, Jean Hill, said this week. He kept a CB radio in his Jeep, and his handle, Snoopy, also became his nickname around town, Mrs. Hill said.
Mr. Hill died on April 11 at Southampton Hospital after a long illness. He was 80.
A resident of East Hampton for nearly 60 years, he lived in a house once owned by his grandmother Esther Anderson.
Mr. Hill was born on Feb. 10, 1937, in Glen Head to David Hill, who had been a congressman, and the former Hilma Anderson. He grew up in Glen Head but spent weekends and holidays at his grandmother’s house in East Hampton.
After graduating from Hempstead High School in 1956, Mr. Hill entered the Coast Guard and spent the better part of four years guarding New York Harbor. In Glen Head, he was a volunteer fireman before moving east.
He married Jean Leighton on April 14, 1961.
Entrepreneurial in spirit, he was employed as a sales representative by a number of firms specializing in the home-building market before starting his own company, D. Hill Associates, which sold building materials. He had many friends in the industry and was known for his witty salesmanship, his wife said.
The Hills kept their boat, the Salty Paw, in Three Mile Harbor for many years, enjoying outings with friends and family, including his wife’s brother, Robert Leighton, and his nephews, Gregory and Eric, who were like children to him, Mrs. Hill said.
In addition to his wife, brother-in-law, and nephews, Mr. Hill is survived by a stepbrother, John Wambough of Florida.
Mr. Hill was cremated. A graveside service will be held next Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Cutchogue Cemetery on Main Road, where his ashes will be interred.
His wife has suggested contributions to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 11787, or online at guidedog.org.