Richard Ballantine Hill, Jr.

With heavy hearts we announce that Richard “Dick” Ballantine Hill, Jr. of Dallas, Texas, passed away on September 21, 2025, at the age of 82.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents Richard “Buster” Ballantine Hill, Sr. and Mary Bess Hill. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sally Schley Hill, his son Richard Hill and his wife Jacqueline, his daughter Jennifer Hill Jacobs, his grandchildren Noah Hill, Josi Hill, Bella Hill, and Sally Jacobs, and his great-grandson Rowan, all of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda Bennett, Betsy Hagen (Buck), Nancy Hill, Melissa Cook, and brother, Gregg Hill (Jolene), and many nieces and nephews.

Dick was born on January 17, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1961 and went on to earn his degree from Austin College in 1966, where he played football and set national receiving records. His athletic achievements earned him a place in the Austin College Athletic Hall of Honor.

He began his career in education, teaching and coaching—roles he was especially proud of—before transitioning into the insurance industry. From 1980 to 1984, Dick served as a City Councilman in Lancaster, Texas, where he and his beloved wife, Sally, raised their family. In 1987, he received the President’s Award of Merit from the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce for his dedication to promoting economic development in the community.

Outside of his family, Dick’s greatest passion was golf—a love that began in the 1950s while working alongside caddies. He spent countless hours at Lakewood Country Club, where he claimed the Club Championship in 1981.

Dick never met a stranger. He was a gifted storyteller with an infectious laugh, known for his generosity, mentorship, and unwavering presence. Whether in business, on the golf course, or in everyday life, he offered wisdom, encouragement, and friendship to all. He had a deep love for animals, especially dogs—and found great joy in nature, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Beyond his deep relationships with those who knew him and his many accomplishments, Dick was just fun. He danced, joked, pranked, lost himself deeply in music, and drank in life to its fullest every single day.

Above all, Dick was a devoted husband, a loving father, and the best Papa. His memory will forever be a source of comfort, inspiration, and joy to all who knew and loved him.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in the Saint Michael Chapel Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at: https://donorservices.alz.org/ or to the Dallas SPCA at: https://spca.org/