John Franklin Hillis

McMinnville resident and Van Buren County, TN native John Franklin Hillis, age 92, was born January 8, 1921 and died April 7, 2013 at Raintree Manor Nursing Home following an extended illness. A retired welder with Ford Motor Company, a member of the Warren Masonic Lodge #125 F&AM and a member of the Shellsford Baptist Church, he was the son of the late Ross and Ethel Kell Hillis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two wives, Ruth Atnip Hillis and Lillie McKee Hillis; brother, Glen Doyle Hillis and three sisters, Minnie Grissom, Robbie Hitchcock and Katherine Jones. Mr. Hillis is survived by one step-son, James Ronald Atnip of Indianapolis, IN; two step-grandsons and several step-great-grandchildren; brother, Kelly R. Hillis of McMinnville; two sisters, Rose Walker of McMinnville and Clara Barton Smith of Jupiter, FL and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service and interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Crain Hill Cemetery in Van Buren County, TN with David Daugherty officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m until 9:00 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at High's. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crain Hill Cemetery Fund or Meals on Wheels both c/o High's.