Homer Hillis, Sr.

Homer Hudson Hillis, Sr., a World War II Navy veteran and proud resident of Uvalde, passed away Thanksgiving Day morning at age 87, following a brief period of illness. He was born January 22, 1925 in Sabinal to Benjamin Winslow and Clara Kate Hill Hillis. Hudson lived a life of contentment, a gentle and humble man much beloved by family and respected by everyone he met. He was gifted with simple tastes gardening, hunting, and especially fishing as well as an abundance of common sense and deep thinking. A patriot, Hudson enlisted in the military in 1943, along with his brother Martin, and his lifelong friend, Bryan Connor. As a merchant marine, he made 21 roundtrips to the Philippines during the war. Upon his return, Hudson seldom left Uvalde and then only for short stays. He loved being home and with his friends and loved ones too much to stay away for longer stretches. He spent 34 years working for the United States Post Office. Hudson was most in his element when he was enjoying nature, the everchanging seasons, and, of course, fishing. As far as his family knows, he never owned a good fish scale by choice and never exceeded his allotment of fish tales and exaggerations. He proudly taught his son and his grandchildren to fish, too, so that they might both enjoy the time spent with nature and never know hunger. Hudson is survived by his wife, Johnnie Hillis of Uvalde two daughters, Linda Gloor and husband, Carroll of Universal City, and Helen Hillis of San Antonio son, Homer Hudson Hillis, Jr. and wife, Ronda of Abilene four grandchildren, Katy Engle, Danny Engle, Johnny Ray Engle, and Hannah Hillis and two greatgrandchildren, Jessey Engle and Christian Brand. He was preceded in death by his parents three brothers, Barnes, Martin, and Nolan Hillis and two sisters, Johnnie Faye Hillis and Winnie Clements. Hudson is also survived by a large community of friends, everyone of whom feels blessed to have known and grown wiser from their time spent with this goodspirited man. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM in Sabinal Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Hillis, Robert Hillis, David Engle, Ken Rutherford, Jimmy Rutherford, Charlie Newman, Thurman Shackleford, Danny Engle, Johnny Ray Engle, David Hillis, and John Hillis. The family would like to thank the wonderful care at Uvalde Healthcare and Rehabilitation, and Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Memorial donations may be made to the Uvalde Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, 1025 Garner Field Rd., Uvalde, TX 78801.

Death is the worst a fate which all must try And, for our country, tis a bliss to die. The gallant man, though slain in fight he be, yet leaves his nation safe, his children free, entails a debt on all the grateful state his own brave friends shall glory in his fate His wife lived honord, all his race to succeed and late his posterity enjoy the deed
Alexander Pope

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