Matthew “Matt” William Hill, 67, of Lincoln, passed away unexpectedly at home after a sudden health event, on Aug. 23, 2025.
He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Jan. 26, 1958, to Harrison and Mary (Petry) Hill. Matt grew up in Seward, where his love for sports began. He played baseball as a child and excelled in football and track at Seward High School. He was a proud member of the Class of ’77 Bluejays. Matt looked forward to seeing his classmates and friends every year at the Seward 4th of July events or class reunions.
Matt attended Kearney State College, where he was a proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity. It was there he met the love of his life, Julie Ryan, through Chi Omega’s Wise Guys. They were married Sept. 20, 1980, at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Over the years, Matt and Julie loved traveling to the National Parks, going to concerts, and sporting events. Julie and Matt also opened their hearts and home to many beloved dogs over the years.
Matt served in the Nebraska Army National Guard from 1978 to 1984. Throughout his life, he worked at Hughes Brothers Inc., Disney World’s Epcot Center, and Bryan Hospital, where he was known for his dedication and warm personality.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Matt was a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Husker volleyball, Husker baseball and the Lincoln Saltdogs. He enjoyed collecting sports and Disney memorabilia and sharing stories with family and friends. Matt also loved listening to the Beach Boys and attending sports memorabilia shows with friends. He was a lifelong blood donor to the Nebraska Community Blood Bank. Matt will be remembered for his kind heart, sense of humor, and unwavering love for his family.
Matt was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Hill; his in-laws, Eugene and Rose Ryan; and nephews, Jeremy Coonfield, Jeremy Schwenka, and Matthew Brass. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife, Julie Hill, and their dogs and constant companions, Molly and Mia. Matt is also survived by his father, Harry Hill of Chalfont, Pennsylvania; sisters and their spouses, Sherrl (Mike) Coonfield of Bon Aire, Georgia, and LaDonna (Albert) Abrevaya of Chalfont; brothers-in-law and spouses, Tom (Deb) Ryan of Lincoln, and Terry (Connie) Ryan of Kearney; sisters-in-law and spouses, Karen (Kirk) Stubbendeck of East Amherst, New York, and Mary Jo (Dean) Schwenka of Minden, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Matt and Julie had conversations about when this day would come. He expressed a desire for his friends and family to honor him by wearing their favorite sports jersey or Hawaiian shirt to the remembrance gatherings. Julie and family invite you to the Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1, at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Lincoln, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow.
Inurnment will be held at Holy Family Cemetery in Heartwell at about 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St Teresa’s Catholic Church, the Capital Humane Society, or the Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln.
