James Franklin Hillis

James Franklin Hillis, age 91 years, 6 months and 1 day, having been born on May 8, 1933 in Logansport, Indiana died on November 9, 2024 in his home on the Tippecanoe River, Pulaski County, Indiana. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patricia Ann (Dawson) Hillis; his children, Jennifer Barnes Hillis, Robert Franklin Hillis and Emily Angelyn (Hillis) Hansen; and his sister Jane (Hillis) Osborne. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Mary Estella (Hillis) Loeb and Sarah Randall (Hillis) Clark; his sister, Janet (Hillis) Pence; and his parents, Haston Franklin Hillis and Doris (Barnes) Hillis. A salute to Jim’s life will be privately held by the family.

Jim wrote the following:

POSTHUMOUS AUTOBITUARY

JAMES FRANKLIN HILLIS

I am dead now and have been since November 9, 2024. Prior to that I had milled around Logansport, Indianapolis, Roachdale, Vevay, and Winamac, Indiana since May 8, 1933.

I did a lot of bad things, most of which are better left unrecalled. I will publicly admit to two transgressions: I joined the Lutheran Church, but I didn’t go to the meetings; and I voted for four Democrats. In my further defense, I was never convicted of any serious crime and, to my knowledge, there are no outstanding arrest warrants or criminal charges which are not barred by a statute of limitations.

I did a few good things, but nothing noteworthy. I had five children who suffered and, I believe, benefited from my shortcomings and whom I loved equally: Mary, Sarah, Jennifer, Bob and Emily. I had a succession of good dogs and wives, each of whom I loved without reservation. The most durable of these was Patricia Ann, whose intellect, encouragement, loyalty, patience, perseverance, and optimism were remarkable.

If practicable, please spare the flowers, food and fancy speeches. Perhaps it would do to play a sorrowful old hillbilly song, or maybe several, by E.T., Hank and Lefty. Then send cash to ASPCA.

I will be interested to see if I meet up with some of you again and, if so, whom and under what circumstances.