Michael Wayne Hill, 75

Jan. 28, 1950 – Jan. 22, 2026

Mike was born Jan. 28, 1950, in Moscow, Idaho, to Calvin Wayne Hill and Helen Faye (Davis) Hill. At the age of two, he contracted polio. It was his legs that were largely affected, resulting in him wearing a brace on his left leg and having to walk with crutches. He went to school for a number of years in Moscow before he and his family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. His father managed a service department at a car dealership in Honolulu, where Mike learned about and developed a love of cars. 

Mike loved the ocean and loved surfing. Legend has it that one day, when surfing, the ocean knocked him off his board, breaking his collarbone. He was rescued from the ocean by none other than Duke Kahanamoku, a famous surfer, lifeguard, and competitive swimmer. 

Mike and his family moved back to the mainland after a few years in Hawaii. Mike graduated from a high school in western Washington. They then moved to Moscow, and Mike studied at the University of Idaho, earning a bachelor's degree in social sciences. 

Mike moved to California in his early 20’s and worked in rehabilitative services, making prosthetics and orthotics. This was where he owned a Chevy Nomad, which he loved and was very proud of. He sold it at one point and regretted doing so for the rest of his life!

In 1976, Mike met his future wife, Beth Kresge. They left the mainland to move to Hawaii- the Big Island- with one suitcase each and one-way tickets. They were married in July 1976 and had three children together. Mike worked in social services for the state of Hawaii and then, through a vocational rehabilitation program, was trained to be a silversmith. That led him to a sales position with our friends at Big Island Jewelers. He became a store manager at House of Adler. Working with the public and in sales was a breeze for Mike. He loved to talk, loved to know what was going on, loved to connect with people.

Mike, Beth, and their children moved back to the mainland in 1991. Mike worked as a store manager at Dodson’s in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, until the store closed. He then took a general manager position with Kaygeeco Spectrum, a company out of Rathdrum. He worked for them until his passing on Jan. 22nd. 

Mike was very involved with his sons in soccer in the Coeur d’Alene area. He served as the president of the Sting Soccer Club and helped to develop the Canfield Sports Complex. He was always traveling with his sons to soccer tournaments. Some have said he was the loudest sideline supporter on the soccer field, and referees frequently had to talk to him. Mike enjoyed handcycling later in life, finding pleasure in being able to actively participate in a sport.

Mike leaves his wife, Beth; their three children: David (his wife, Courtney; three daughters and one son); Raimi (Hill) Amsbury (her husband, Nick, and one daughter), and Dylan (his wife, Madison, and two sons); his cousin, Marc Hamilton; his niece, Cindy (Smith) Schneider; and numerous extended family. Seven grandchildren in all! 

Mike requested no service and his ashes will be spread at a family gathering in Hawaii at a later date. Please visit Mike’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.