David Paul Hill

MISSOULA – David Hill, "Bampa," 54, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. He was born in Missoula on Oct. 2, 1961. The son of Pearl Horstman and Dennis Hill. David attended Roosevelt grade school and Hellgate High School with his Irish twin Marcia, and little brother Mike Hill. Dave found his passion for football as a Little Griz. He continued to excel at football at Hellgate High School where he began playing Varsity his Sophomore year. Dave’s lifelong friendships were formed with his buddies on the football fields. Dave graduated from Hellgate High School with the nickname “Heebs” in 1980.

Dave married the love of his life, Kara Vinton, on July 21, 1984. They enjoyed 32 years together. Together they have two daughters, Danielle and Kayla and his granddaughters, Ashlyn and Brooke. Dave passed his love of sports on to all his girls through teaching batting, pitching, putting, shooting hoops and most of all sportsmanship. He will be forever remembered by his encouraging words “break a leg, girls.”

At a very young age, Dave learned the importance of hard work as a paperboy; this work ethic continued through the rest of his life. One of Dave’s first jobs was working at Cenex. He and Kara eventually established their own sprinkler business. In 1991 he went on to work at Stone Container where he worked his ass off for 19 years. With the closure of the mill, Dave moved on to work at A&I Distributors and property management at the family business. He was also an active member of The Missoula Snowgoers.

Most of all he enjoyed time with his family, and was most proud to be “Bampa”. His other favorite past times were coaching Little Griz Football, camping, snowmobiling with the “Snow Hogs”, NASCAR with his Dad and Brother, golfing, pontooning, and just relaxing by the campfire with a Coors Light and a cigar, at the cabins at Inez and up Fish Creek. Dave found a place to relax from all his activities and work, on the beach in Puerto Vallarta.

His greatest passion was Grizzly Football. Dave was an avid Griz fan who never missed a game or a tailgate party with his Buddies, “BOOM” Crew, and family.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother Pearl Horstman; his stepfather Jim Horstman and his grandparents. Dave is survived by his wife Kara; daughter Danielle (Brandon) Babbitt; daughter Kayla Hill (Jon Wagner); granddaughters, Ashlyn Babbitt, Brooke Babbitt and Gabriella Wagner; father Dennis (Mary Lou Crispen) Hill; sister Marcia (Randy) Olsen; brother Mike Hill; niece Hailey Hill; mother-in-law Marie Vinton; brother-in-law Teddy Vinton; sister-in-law Kris (Rick) Thompson and nephew Toliver Thompson;p uncle Ray (Helen) Karlson; cousins, Colby, Ryan, Marty Karlson and families; step siblings, Tim, Cheri, Brenda, Mike, Charlie Horstman and families; and so many of his loyal friends.

We will forever miss your Butkus Hugs.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 7 at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway. Reception will follow. Condolences for the family can be left at gardencityfh.com

Please come in your Griz wear, shorts and flip flops.