Our dad Jim, has finally discovered the truth of the Iron Door! James Terryle Hill, age 78, passed away peacefully in his beloved Willows, Wednesday February 20, 2019. He was born April 14, 1940 to William Alexander and Silvia Williams Hill of Samaria, Idaho. He attended Samaria Elementary and later Malad High School. He lettered in Boxing (State Champ 1955), Wrestling (State Champ 1958), Football, Baseball, and Track. He was also recognized as the Malad High school Outstanding Male Athlete his senior year. He attended Snow College on a football scholarship and was also a member of the Wrestling, and Track teams. On weekends, to earn cash, Dad would participate in the local Armory Golden Glove boxing matches winning most of his bouts and had offers to turn professional. He then attended Utah State University where he earned a degree in Special Education and Coaching. While there, he met one of the loves of his life, because he had a hard time catching her in a flag football game. Jim married Linda Burns of Garland, Ut on March 15, 1963. Following marriage, Jim was hired at Box Elder High School where he was a successful football and head wrestling coach. With this success, he was recruited to Las Vegas High School and later Eldorado High School as head wrestling coach. While in Las Vegas, Jim and Linda were home parents at the Ettie Lee Home for Boys. During this time, they welcomed 5 children to their family. Soon after, they returned to Samaria, then Brigham City so dad could pursue his dream of starting his own home for delinquent boys. In 1976, after the move to Brigham, mom passed away from a brief fight with Melanoma cancer, leaving Jim with 5 little children. The following summer, dad married his other Love, an Angel from God, Cynthia Scothern of Brigham City, Utah, on June 11, 1977. Jim and Cindy then moved back to Samaria and welcomed 2 other children to the family. In the coming years dad worked many jobs; shoe repair, sales jobs or anything that allowed him to follow his children in their dreams, pursuits, and sporting endeavors. This also allowed dad to dedicate himself to serving young men. He took hundreds of young men to the Samaria and Wind River mountains on 50 mile hikes which turned into 80 mile adventures, in his later stories (and brought most of the boys back). His gifts and calling in life, for those that know dad, were helping young men in finding and believing in themselves. Dad’s third love was Samaria, because of its beautiful deer filled mountains and his Willows where he invited all to come and enjoy. In his retirement, dad spent countless hours cleaning streams and ponds, mowing lawns, building bridges and gazebos and turning the Willow’s into a children’s paradise. He beamed with joy when his family and friends came to his little heaven, giving him a captive audience for his, always true, stories (especially those about Indian heritage and Sasquatch).

He is survived by his loving wife Cynthia, children Holly (Steven) Jones, Brett (Shannon) Hill, Brock (Vicki) Hill, Tyler (Monica) Hill, Heidi (Sandor) Schiess, Braun (Jackie) Hill, BreAnna (Dillon) Kotter, his 44 grandchildern, 28 great grandchildren; who all adore him. Four sisters Gayle, Norma, Peggy, Marsha. And his longtime friend Sasquatch.

Funeral services will be Monday, February 25, 2019 at 12:00 noon at the Malad 2nd Ward building, 20 South 100 West. Friends may visit family on Sunday from 6-7 p.m. and Monday 10:30-11:30 a.m.at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W 300 N Malad, ID. Interment, Samaria Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Signature Hospice, Rick Clark PAC, Onieda County Clinic, Malad 2nd Ward, and all the friends who have been so kind and loving. We are humbled and grateful for your service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Samaria Foundation.