Robert "Steve" Hill

Robert Steven Hill (Steve), 83, of Amarillo, TX, finished his race on February 28, 2025. Steve was born on May 13, 1941, in Dallas, TX to Walter and Lucille Hill. Steve spent most of his primary years growing up in Portales, NM where he helped his dad and developed his love and skill in building just about anything. The family did spend three years in Seward, Alaska which was an extra special and memorable time in Steve’s life. Steve was the big brother to three little sisters, Barbara, Panda, Paula. 

Steve graduated from Portales High School on May 22, 1959. Steve then went on to attend Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Religion and Psychology. It was during this time in college that he met the love of his life Ginger Bright. They met at the campus Bible Chair and shared a love of choir. It was on these long choir trips that their love blossomed and grew. They were married on August 12, 1961, and would remain married for the next 63 years! 

Shortly after marriage they would move to northern New Mexico where Steve began his work with delinquent boys. This is the work he would continue to do for the next 35 years. Steve had a special gift in mentoring these young men and truly helping in making changes in their lives. Steve initiated several programs including The Golden Gloves and introducing the Eagle Scouts program and being their scout master, leading many back country trips. After this move to Northern New Mexico Steve and Ginger also began their family. He would become the loving father to three girls Melissa, Celeste, and Michele. Steve and Ginger also purchased 10 acres in Miami, New Mexico and began the process of building the beautiful home they would live in for the next 40 years. Steve designed and built this home with his own hands.

Steve loved to learn new things; with an ever-growing library he was an avid reader. He learned about bee keeping, and he did it. He learned about organic gardening, and he did it. Steve had quite the green thumb and was known for the sweetest tomatoes around and supplied half the county with his abundance of veggies from his garden! 

Steve retired from the Springer New Mexico Boy’s School after 32 years of service on April 24, 1996. During retirement Steve would continue to garden. He and Ginger would spend most of the summers at their beloved cabin in Blue Haven. He would also enjoy camping, fishing, and playing with his many grand, and great grand kids. He and Ginger would also do lots of traveling and seeing the world. 

Steve spent much of his life learning as much as he could about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was always studying the Bible ad teaching and leading classes. He was a long-time member and leader at both the Springer and Raton Churches of Christ, where he preached, led classes, served communion and pretty much anything and everything else that was needed. The thing he enjoyed most, however, was leading singing with that beautiful booming bass voice he will always be remembered by. Steve did all these things with no complaint and was a true servant of our Lord. 

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Lucille Hill, one sister Paula Shafer, and a son in law Neil Sanders.

Steve is survived by his wife Ginger Hill of Amarillo, TX. Three daughters, Melissa Sanders of Clovis, NM, Celeste (Tim Ashley of Shallowater, TX, Michele (Kevin) Schaffer of Amarillo, TX. Eight grandchildren Travis (Hannah) Ashley, Joshua Ashley, Connor Ashley, Hunter Ashley, Lauren 

Ashley, Elise (Caleb) Hickmott, Ethan Schaffer, and Madalyn Schaffer. Three great grandchildren, Aiden Ashley, Emma Ashley, and Liam Ashley. Two sisters, Barbara Smith, and Panda (David) Flen and lots of nieces and nephews.

Services will be held in the Chapel of Central Church of Christ, 1401 S Madison St., Amarillo, TX, at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 7, 2025. A visitation will immediately follow the service. There will no burial service. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home in Portales, NM.