John W. Hill

John William Hill, 66, a resident of Ft. Myers, FL since 2013, formerly of Vallejo, CA and Virginia Beach, VA, passed away Friday, August 31, 2018. He was born September 28, 1951 in Spring Lake, NC to Benjamin and Clara Hill.

John joined the Navy in 1975 in its submarine or “silent service” force. During the course of his 20 years, he became an elite member aboard the vessel USS Parche one of the United States Most Decorated War Ships, a submarine selected to support the National Underwater Reconnaissance Office. John was involved in black ops while on this vessel while it was involved in the longest underway period that any submarine ever accomplished. John was awarded numerous honors and citations during his career, the most memorable among them being the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, while serving aboard the USS Parche in 1993/1994. He retired from the Navy in 1995 while attached to the USS Parche in Mare Island, California.

Those who knew John well would describe him as a gregarious, creative man, of quick wit, and high intelligence. He remained passionate about sailing and all activities related to the water, riding his bike through the Napa Valley, skiing the slopes of Tahoe, and adventure travel. John considered the finer things in life to be enjoying a good meal and drink with friends and loved ones. He was a warm, generous man and a natural storyteller who entertained everyone near him until his dying day. John was often heard saying, “If I were any better, they’d be singing songs about me on every corner of every street.”

We’d like to remember him this way as he reunites with his beloved in the hereafter, as he is beloved to us.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Victoria Rungo, of San Francisco, CA; two children, Saffron Tori Hill of Oakland, CA and Aleia Lopez of Virginia Beach, VA; one brother, Thomas W. Hill of Jacksonville, NC; four grandchildren, Annahlese, Shane, Marianna, and Isabella; as well as several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his brother, Benjamin Hill, his father, Benjamin Franklin Hill, and his mother, Clara Lee Hill.

No formal services are planned at this time.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, FL is entrusted with final care.