NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- William L. "Bill" Hill, a founder of Dallas agency Levenson & Hill Advertising and a creative whose work attracted national attention, died July 12 in a Dallas-area hospital of complications from a blood clot. He was 74.

"Bill was one of a really small number of guys who elevated the professional standard for advertising in Dallas," said Rob McEnany, exec VP of Levenson & Hill.

Mr. Hill broke into the ad world in 1956 at Bloom Advertising in Dallas and eventually became the firm's president. He stayed there until 1981. In 1984, Hill and colleagues Stan and Barbara Levenson created Levenson & Hill, where Mr. Hill worked until his death.

Multiple awards
Throughout his career, Mr. Hill created campaigns for Southwest Airlines, Zales Jewelers, Chili's Grill & Bar and RadioShack, among many other brands, and he received a slew of industry honors -- including the American Film Festival award for advertising, multiple Telly Awards, the National Restaurant Association's Best Campaign Award and numerous Addy Awards from the Dallas Ad League and the American Advertising Foundation.

In addition to his wife, Rae, Hill is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Shaun and Ross Shipley of Houston and Tami and Tres Adami of San Antonio; sons Schaffer Hill and Christian Hill, both of Dallas; and eight grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Bill Hill to Water for Life, Life Outreach International, P.O. Box 982000, Fort Worth, Texas 76182.