David M. Hill, 86

FRANKLIN — David Marston Hill, 86, of Franklin, passed away on April 14, 2026. He was born on May 30, 1939, in Manchester. He was the son of the late Maurice Irving Hill and Florence Thelma Hill. He graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1957.

He served honorably in the 157th Air National Guard for seven years. During that time, he drove a tractor-trailer fuel tanker (JP-4) and worked on the flight line refueling F-86 jets. He held the rank of airman first class.

During high school, David worked all four years at Emery-Waterhouse Company, where he drove forklifts and loaded trucks. After high school, he attended NH Technical Institute in Manchester and then earned an electrical engineering degree from Wentworth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. He also attended Evinrude Outboard Factory School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, alongside his best friend, Dana Morse of Haggett’s Marine in Concord.

He later worked in Nashua, for New England Telephone as an installer-repairman for over three years.

In August 1964, he married Janet Ann Camp. After their first year of marriage, they returned to Franklin, where he began working at Rolfe Camp Co., owned by her parents, Rolfe and Florence Camp, and raised their three children.

In 1975, David purchased land on Babbitt Road in Franklin, to build a home for his growing family. In 1982, David and Janet bought the family business, renaming it Camp & Hill Hardware, which they operated until selling it in 2001, upon his retirement. He was passionate about connecting with people and helping with their projects.

David was active in numerous community organizations, including Elks Lodge #1280 (lifetime member), Franklin Rotary Club (past president), Franklin Cemetery Association (trustee), Franklin Outing Club, Kearsarge Mountain Boys, Franklin Savings Bank (cooperative member), the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, Meridian No. 60 (master mason), and the Bektash Shriners.

He is survived by his wife, Janet C. Hill; his two sisters, Marilyn Blakely and husband Alan Blakely, and Barbara Allard and husband Larry Allard; his three children, Kimberly Briggs and husband Robert, Tamara Husband and husband Greg, and David T. Hill and wife Theresa; and five grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa”: Ashley Compton and husband Matthew; Robert A. Briggs and wife Meghann, Alexis Colpack, Cody Hill, Jacqueline Hill; his great-grandchildren Carmen Hill and Kennedy Compton; along with many extended family members and dogs.

The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who cared for him, especially those from Fresenius Kidney Care Lakes Region in Tilton.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 24, at Smart Memorial Home in Tilton. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the funeral home.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital at donate.shrinerschildrens.org. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, visit smartmemorialhome.com.

The Smart Memorial Home, 584 W. Main St., Tilton, is assisting the family with arrangements.