Joseph L. Hillis
Sikeston Standard Democrat
April 15, 2009
POPLAR BLUFF — Joseph Lee Hillis, 81, died April 12, 2009, at his home. Born April 18, 1927, in Williamsville, he was a 1945 graduate of B r o s e l e y H i g h School, a 1955 graduate of of Southeast M i s s o u r i State University and a 1961 graduate of Arkansas State University. He was a school administrator and teacher for 31 years. He spent 14 years at Neelyville, 14 years at Twin Rivers and three years at the Twin Rivers Educational Media Center in Poplar Bluff. A lifetime member of MSTA, Retired Teacher's Association and Association of School Administrators, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 209 in Poplar Bluff, St. Louis Scottish Rite 32 KCCH, Shriners Moolah Temple of St. Louis and was a past president of the Three Rivers Shrine Club and the Butler County Scottish Rite Club.
He served as a bank board member for First Missouri State Bank since 1991. A member of the First Christian Church of Poplar Bluff, he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder emeritus, as a board member and chairman of the board for the church and was property chairman. He helped organize and served as the first chairman of the board of the Christian Community Child Care Center.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served on active duty from Oct. 12, 1950, to Oct. 27, 1952, and was in the Army Reserves until Sept. 26, 1956. He served in the U.S. Army 45th Infantry (Thunderbird) Division, the 279th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company I, Weapon's Platoon - 60 MM Mortars. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Campaign Battle Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Service Medal, and Occupation Medal with Japan and Overseas Service Bar.
On Aug. 1, 1953, in Ilmo, he married Billie Lee Flynn, who survives.
Other survivors include: three sons and daughters-inlaw, Gary and Tara Hillis of Piedmont and Larry and Robyn Hillis and Randy and Ann Hillis of Poplar Bluff; one brother, Jim Hillis of Poplar Bluff; two sisters, Mary Crabtree of Poplar Bluff and May Hunter of New Madrid; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. today at the First Christian Church. A graveside service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Steven Williams officiating. Burial will follow.
Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph L. Hillis
Sikeston Standard Democrat
April 15, 2009
POPLAR BLUFF — Joseph Lee Hillis, 81, died April 12, 2009, at his home. Born April 18, 1927, in Williamsville, he was a 1945 graduate of B r o s e l e y H i g h School, a 1955 graduate of of Southeast M i s s o u r i State University and a 1961 graduate of Arkansas State University. He was a school administrator and teacher for 31 years. He spent 14 years at Neelyville, 14 years at Twin Rivers and three years at the Twin Rivers Educational Media Center in Poplar Bluff. A lifetime member of MSTA, Retired Teacher's Association and Association of School Administrators, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 209 in Poplar Bluff, St. Louis Scottish Rite 32 KCCH, Shriners Moolah Temple of St. Louis and was a past president of the Three Rivers Shrine Club and the Butler County Scottish Rite Club.
He served as a bank board member for First Missouri State Bank since 1991. A member of the First Christian Church of Poplar Bluff, he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder emeritus, as a board member and chairman of the board for the church and was property chairman. He helped organize and served as the first chairman of the board of the Christian Community Child Care Center.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served on active duty from Oct. 12, 1950, to Oct. 27, 1952, and was in the Army Reserves until Sept. 26, 1956. He served in the U.S. Army 45th Infantry (Thunderbird) Division, the 279th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company I, Weapon's Platoon - 60 MM Mortars. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Campaign Battle Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Service Medal, and Occupation Medal with Japan and Overseas Service Bar.
On Aug. 1, 1953, in Ilmo, he married Billie Lee Flynn, who survives.
Other survivors include: three sons and daughters-inlaw, Gary and Tara Hillis of Piedmont and Larry and Robyn Hillis and Randy and Ann Hillis of Poplar Bluff; one brother, Jim Hillis of Poplar Bluff; two sisters, Mary Crabtree of Poplar Bluff and May Hunter of New Madrid; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. today at the First Christian Church. A graveside service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Steven Williams officiating. Burial will follow.
Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
