Stephen Webster Hill was born on July 12, 1940. He passed away on September 4, 2021, at the age of 81. Steve lived in Poulsbo with his wife Deborah (Debbie) Hill.
Steve was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire and spent his first 18 years in Enfield, New Hampshire. He was the only son of Loring Webster Hill and Mary Kathleen Laffee, both of Enfield NH. The Hill family included three sisters, Brenda (Bud) Ryan, Kay (Cal) Wilson, Lorna Hill.
A 1958 graduate of Enfield High School, Steve was top of his class as a scholar and an athlete…not hard to do in a class of 15 students we were always quick to tease! He attended the university of New Hampshire and enjoyed all the social aspects college allows. As he laughingly told it he “withdrew before he was asked to leave”.
Dad was no stranger to hard work. He would regularly regale us with stories of his early years working the family farm and picking peas for the local farmers. At the age of 18, he obtained his first commercial driver’s license. He would keep that license and drive in 6 decades supporting himself and his family.
On march 17, 1962, he married Debbie and together they raised 3 children Mike (Janice) Hill, Lynn Hill, and Kay (Tim) Cook. The oldest two were just babies when he started back to the University of NH more focused on his future. He graduated with honors earning a degree in political science and a minor in economics.
In the fall of 1967, Steve and Debbie loaded up their family of 5 into a VW bus and headed across the country from New York to Washington. It was there that he began his career in moving and storage with Lile in Tacoma, WA. He would go on to work every aspect of the industry from sales, logistics, administration and finally as an owner-operator. He developed many long friendships with other “old-time truck drivers”. The stories were colorful and highly entertaining when they all got together!
In 1986 after Mike graduated from college, he and dad decided to form Hill Moving Services. It began as a family based, one truck operation. Gradually it grew into a company operating nationally. They built a warehouse, acquired another warehouse and now hill moving services trucks are seen regularly throughout the Puget Sound region.
Steve and Debbie enjoyed a shared love of travel. Together they made it to every state at least once and dad figured he’d driven at least 2 million miles in his lifetime. They would explore 5 continents, experience the Panama Canal, cross the Atlantic and see the Southernmost tip of South America. They particularly enjoyed cruising the Nile and the Amazon Rivers. He often remarked that one of his favorite trips was to Ireland.
Between their adventures, they always happily returned home to the Pacific Northwest to enjoy time with their family. Steve was blessed with 5 grandkids; Katie, Joe & Will Emery; Sarah Cook and Emma Hill who he thought the world of. As they grew into accomplished adults they enjoyed spending time with Poppa, although they learned early on not to accept his “let’s play monopoly” invitation!
He was a big supporter of his community and people knew that he was a phone call away to help with projects and events. During the Katrina aftermath he took more than 20 trips to the Gulf Coast delivering supplies and support as needed. Steve liked to work under the radar and much of his support was given quietly.
Steve was a man who still did business with a handshake. He took care of his family; gave back where he could and when asked what he did for a living would reply… “me? I’m just a truck driver.”
Services will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Judes or Helpline in Poulsbo.
