Ronald Eugene Hill, 74, of Columbia, departed this life on December 13, 2018 following a courageous thirty-two-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. A life-long educator, Ron was the principal of Richland Northeast High School from 1984 to 1997. During his career, he won numerous awards including the Kennedy Center National Principal of the Year for the Arts, SC Outstanding School Administrator and the SC Arts Education Assn. Principal of the Year. Prior to moving to Columbia, Ron served as a school administrator at Orangeburg Wilkinson High School, in Orangeburg, SC.

Ron was a loving grandfather to three grandchildren (Camille, Steven, and Hayley) and four great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, of 53 years, his son Devon Hill (Matthew Coyne) of Washington, DC, and daughter Heather Ivey (Charles Ivey) of Blythewood, SC. He is also survived by his two sisters Judy Burkett (Bill Burkett) of Akron, OH and Kimberly Lux (John Lux) of Columbus, OH.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Ron was a devoted Christian all his life. He was a teacher and elder at First Presbyterian Church in Orangeburg and at Forest Lake Presbyterian in Columbia. In retirement, Ron enjoyed painting and won several awards for his paintings at the SC State Fair.

A memorial service for Ron will be held 2 o'clock, Friday, January 4th at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206 ( www.flpc.org ) or to SCETV, 401 E. Kennedy St., Suite B-1, Spartanburg, SC 29302 ( www.scetv.org ).