hill was born on december 1, 1899 in los angeles, california. he was married to madeleine m. hill from 1924 until they divorced during the 1930s. then he was married to faye d maxwell from 1942 until they divorced in 1969. then he was married to anne t. hill from 1971 until his death in 1986. hill died on february 14, 1986 from heart failure in his rancho mirage, california, aged 86.