Christopher Allen Hill, 48, Panama City Beach, Fla., passed away November 6, 2014 at his home. Christopher, better known as Chris or to his close friends "Butch," was born July 7, 1966, in Kansas City, Mo. The youngest of three children, Chris refused to quietly read books like his older siblings, and charted his own course, demonstrating a will and determination and zeal for life that would characterize him into his adult life. Chris was raised in the Kansas City area and graduated from Grandview (Mo.) High School in 1984. While at Grandview Chris was a standout athlete, primarily in football, and was known to have dozens and dozens of friends. He indeed knew no strangers

After high school Chris attended Longview Community College and the University of Missouri in Columbia before moving to the Birmingham, Ala. area to work with his father and brother in the auto auction business. In 1992, he married Kim Barber and shortly thereafter they moved to Panama City Beach where Chris began working at Panama City Toyota. Chris acquired an ownership interest in Panama City Toyota in 1996 and worked in various labor and management roles until he became the company's president in 2011. As Chris rose through the ranks at Panama City Toyota, he developed a fondness and keen appreciation for the company's employees. He deflected accolades for the company's successes and achievements under his leadership away from himself and insisted they be ascribed to the many dedicated employees of Panama City Toyota. This was Chris.

The zeal Chris had for life was demonstrated in his love for sports like skiing and surfing. After spending some time in Hawaii after college, he was hooked by the ocean and surfing, and brought his surfboards to the Gulf of Mexico. Much to his mother's chagrin, Chris would paddle out to sea on his surfboard almost exclusively during a pending tropical storm or hurricane. But per Kim's directive, he always returned home by dark. He also loved to travel with family and spent a great deal of time encouraging his children's passions for sports and music. He was devoted not only to his wife, children, and granddaughter, but to countless others who found refuge, friendship, and great food in his home.

Survivors include Chris's wife, Kim; a daughter, Kayla Glenn and husband Michael of Panama City Beach; a son, Bronson, of Panama City Beach; and daughter, Mia, of the home; his parents David and Toni Hill of Panama City Beach; and a sister, Sandee Finley and husband, Greg of Garden City, Mo. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Piper, of Panama City Beach, who affectionately knew Chris as "Chief." Chris was especially fond of his uncles Mike and Jody and developed special working relationships with each of them over the years. Chris also delighted in his nine nephews and nieces, all of whom will miss him terribly. Chris was preceded in death in 2011 by his only brother, Rusty.

A celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 10 at Gulf Beach Baptist Church in Panama City Beach (10620 Hutchison Blvd.) The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 12-1:30 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Chris's favorite charities, Anchorage Children's Home or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Christopher, Chris, My Love, Butch, Butchie, and Chief. You will be sorely missed.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17