Rev. Richard L. Hills

Rev. Richard Lauren Hills, 80, passed away at home on April 25, 2017. An active member of the Port Orange community for over thirty-five years, a Celebration of his Life and Work will take place on Monday, May 1 at 1:30 PM, at Westminster-by-the-Sea Presbyterian Church, 3221 South Peninsula Drive, Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118. Richard was born in Ashland, Kentucky on March 22, 1937 to Lauren and Nellie Hills. He graduated from Ashland High School and received his BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Kentucky. He received his Master of Divinity from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1972. Upon graduation, he became the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, DeLand, Florida. While in DeLand, he was a Founding Director of the House Next Door. In 1981, Richard was called to start a new church in Port Orange. He remained at Port Orange Presbyterian Church until he retired in 2006. He was designated Pastor Emeritus in 2008. After his retirement, Richard served as parish associate at Westminster-By-The-Sea Presbyterian Church. He also served as a temporary pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Daytona Beach, Florida. He was Chaplain at Westminster-Canterbury from 2007-2014. Richard was active in St John’s/Central Florida Presbytery serving as moderator for each. He was the founder and convenor of the Port Orange Ministerial Association and the East Volusia Cluster of Presbyterian Ministers.  Richard was also a founder of the Presbyterian Counselling Center. He served on several boards including the Act Corporation, Healthy Start of Flagler and Volusia Counties, Volusia County Mental Health Board, The Chiles Academy, and the West Volusia Literacy Council. In 2011, he received the Port Orange City Council Award for positive impact on the community.

Richard and his wife Mary enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage. He is survived by Mary, their three children Laura, David and Stephen, David’s wife Robyn, his grandchildren Ileana and Walden, and his sister Nancy Mabrey. Richard was known for his dedication to improving the lives of others, his enjoyment of life, his humour, and his love for his family and friends.  In his words, ‘May God’s peace and love be with you’.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to: The Healthy Start Coalition of Flagler & Volusia Counties, Inc., 109 Executive Circle, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; The Presbyterian Counselling Center, 430 Braddock Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118; The House Next Door, Administrative Offices, 804 N. Woodland Blvd., Deland, FL  32720; or, The Chiles Academy, 868 Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach, 32114. Services entrusted to Shannon Maloney Funeral Home, (386) 760-9660.