David R Hill

David R.Hill, 85, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 2017. He was the son of Clifford and Elsie Hill of Jacksonville, Illinois who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Norma, of St. Petersburg, FL and his four children, Robert (Jean) Hill of Sanibel Island, FL, Diane Hardwick of Meredosia, IL, Brad (Debbie) Hill of Jackson, TN, Sharon Toomey of Naples, FL, 7 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. After graduating from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, IL, David began an active and successful entrepreneurial career. He concentrated in the early part of his career on his keen interest in electronics and technology. David launched Hill's Television & Appliances and later expanded into leasing televisions and antennas to motels and hotels. He launched the well-known electronics company, Teksonics, in Jacksonville, IL, and later formed TRCA and Telaleasing, all employing hundreds of Jacksonville residents over the years. David was also known in Jacksonville as a restaurateur owning the Serv-Rite Diner and the Red Fox Supper Club. Best known as the founder of Davel Communications Group, David launched an initial public offering of that company in 1993 and built it to be the largest, independent pay phone company in the United States. After retiring, David remained active in business by investing in his son, Robert's PODS moving & storage business and partnering with long-time associate, Mike Hayes, in multiple real estate development projects in Jacksonville, IL and Asheville, NC. David was a licensed pilot and loved flying his airplanes and spending time fishing from his boat in the Gulf of Mexico. David enjoyed spending time with family at his summer home in the mountains of Asheville, NC and loved his many dogs through the years, but especially loved his twin black schnauzers Hugo and Polo. Polo still survives and will miss his daddy greatly. David's remains will be cremated and the family will hold a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Society for the Preventions of Cruelty to Animals, Protecting Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Jacksonville, IL or the Salvation Army.