It is with tremendous sadness and a very heavy heart that we share the loss of Tim Hill, a remarkable leader in the student & youth travel industry, trusted colleague, mentor, and dear friend to so many in our SYTA community.
During his 27 years as a Cast Member at the Walt Disney World Resort, Tim was an innovative executive who pushed the boundaries of student & youth group experiences and created lifelong memories for students & youth from around the world. Many of today’s Disney Imagination Campus experiences began with his dream.
Tim created Disney Youth Programs and expanded the resort’s performing arts, academic, and graduation offerings, including Festival Disney, the Disney Honors, Academic AchievEARS, Disney STEP Classic, Disney Grad Nite, Disney Night of Joy, and Disney Magic Mornings, along with workshops and large third-party-produced youth festivals. He also launched innovative marketing campaigns, attracted sponsors, and created the Disney Youth Travel Planners Symposium, building deep and loyal relationships with the student travel industry that continue today.
Tim later brought his talents to Biltmore, where it was clear from the start that he carried something special with him. His leadership was grounded in character, wisdom, integrity, strength, and fortitude. Whatever the challenge, he could be counted on to do the right thing, not because it was easy, but because it was right.
He led with perseverance and purpose, but also with heart. He didn’t simply manage people. He invested in them, believed in them, and helped them grow. “There are leaders we work for, leaders we learn from, and then there are the very rare leaders who change us. Tim was one of those,” says Paula Wilber Vice President of Sales & Guest Services, Biltmore.
Perhaps his greatest gift was the way he made people feel. No matter your title, when you spoke with Tim you felt like the most important person he led. He listened, he cared, and he gave you his full attention. He shared his wisdom freely and gave people confidence in themselves, sometimes before they had it on their own.
Tim’s accomplishments were many, but his legacy will not be measured only in business results or titles. It will be measured in the lives of the student’s he impacted, the people he developed, the careers he influenced, the friendships he built, and the countless lives that are better because he was part of them.
We extend our deepest sympathy, prayers, and love to Tim’s family and loved ones, and to every colleague and friend whose life he touched.
A service honoring Tim will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Central United Methodist Church located at 27 Church Street Asheville, NC 28801.
For anyone wanting to honor Tim in a way that reflects his lifelong love of music and students, please consider donating to the Asheville High School Band Program, Band Director: Rodney Workman, on their website.
