Obituary for Jack William "Bill" Hillis
Jack William (“Bill”) Hillis, age 97, of Midland, passed away on December 17, 2021. He had been a long time resident of Mt. Pleasant.
Services for Bill will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant at noon on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, with Pastor Jacob Behnken officiating. A luncheon will follow on site. The family will also receive friends at the funeral chapel on Tuesday, December 28, from 4-8 PM and Wednesday from 11 AM until the time of the service. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged and masks will be made available to those needing them.
Bill was born on May 20, 1924, in Oakley, the son of Irving and Ruth (Merrell) Hillis. He was a 1941 graduate of Chesaning high school. After the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served during WWII in the Pacific aboard the destroyer Prichett. Bill married Ruth Loretta Blehm on November 22, 1947, in Chesaning. They loved to dance, and they remained married for nearly 74 years, until her death earlier this year. He was a 1950 graduate of Adrian College, thanks in part to financial help provided by the G.I. Bill.
He was the developer and original owner of Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens. After that he partnered with his wife to work as a successful commissioned salesman until both retired at age 72 in 1996. He was active with his church, veteran groups, and other organizations, and made many charitable contributions to them.
Bill is survived by his son Jay Hillis of East Lansing; daughter: Lynda VanOmmeren of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren: Lisa (Devin Millions) VanOmmeren of Midland, Lori (Justin) Mullins of East Lansing and Thomas VanOmmeren of Mt. Pleasant; great grandchildren: Anika and Ethan Mullins; brother-in-law: Elmer Blehm of Hemlock; and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, his brother Jim, his sister Maxine, six brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Midland or to Faith Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.
Services for Bill will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant at noon on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, with Pastor Jacob Behnken officiating. A luncheon will follow on site. The family will also receive friends at the funeral chapel on Tuesday, December 28, from 4-8 PM and Wednesday from 11 AM until the time of the service. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged and masks will be made available to those needing them.
Bill was born on May 20, 1924, in Oakley, the son of Irving and Ruth (Merrell) Hillis. He was a 1941 graduate of Chesaning high school. After the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served during WWII in the Pacific aboard the destroyer Prichett. Bill married Ruth Loretta Blehm on November 22, 1947, in Chesaning. They loved to dance, and they remained married for nearly 74 years, until her death earlier this year. He was a 1950 graduate of Adrian College, thanks in part to financial help provided by the G.I. Bill.
He was the developer and original owner of Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens. After that he partnered with his wife to work as a successful commissioned salesman until both retired at age 72 in 1996. He was active with his church, veteran groups, and other organizations, and made many charitable contributions to them.
Bill is survived by his son Jay Hillis of East Lansing; daughter: Lynda VanOmmeren of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren: Lisa (Devin Millions) VanOmmeren of Midland, Lori (Justin) Mullins of East Lansing and Thomas VanOmmeren of Mt. Pleasant; great grandchildren: Anika and Ethan Mullins; brother-in-law: Elmer Blehm of Hemlock; and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, his brother Jim, his sister Maxine, six brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Midland or to Faith Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.