Joseph Hillis

Joseph Hillis, 91, of Land O’Lakes, Florida passed away on October 9, 2020 at Angels Senior Living at Connerton Court. Born in Millen, Georgia, Jenkins County, on September 1, 1929, he was a son of the late Lloyd Elliot Hillis and Josephine Landing Hillis. Mr. Hillis was a South Georgia boy, a Southern gentleman and he loved good southern cooking.. Formerly of Statenville, Georgia, South Carolina, Baxley, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Hillis worked as a heavy equipment operator for 25 years and another 10 years with the City of Jacksonville, Florida in waste management. A member of the Church of God, he and his first wife Eleanor Ophelia Barrineau Hillis, raised their sons together. After her death, Mr. Hillis married, Bernadine, and he and Bernadine lovingly fostered 7 special needs children for 15 years.
Survivors are her sons, Lloyd Rich (Nohelia) Hillis of Tampa, Florida, Robert Lamar (Donna) Hillis of Baxley; grandchildren, Heather Hillis, Donna Weatherholt and Joey Hillis; six great grandchildren; a brother, Earl Hillis of north Georgia, a sister, Barbara McCaskill of Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, fourteen brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020, at the McLane Lakewood Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Tyler Carter will officiate. The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Wrights Chapel Cemetery.