John Hillis

John D. "Jack" Hillis age 86, of Cavalier, ND died on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Woodside Village, Grand Forks, ND. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service and Masonic service at the church. Burial will be in the Cavalier Cemetery. Arrangements with Jensen-Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND.
Jack was born May 3, 1921, near Backoo, ND to Brinton and Nora (Foxen) Hillis. He grew up in the Backoo area, attended the McCurdy School and graduated from Cavalier High School. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
On December 1, 1943, he married Margaret Campbell at Miami, OK. He received his U.S. and British Wings and was commissioned on December 8, 1943, serving as a pilot in the China-Burma-India Theatre. He received wings from China, for assisting Chaing Kai-Shak. After his discharge from the service he returned to the Backoo to join his father in farming. His passion was flying, continuing to pilot his Mooney Mite until recently. Jack served on many boards and committees including, United Valley Bank, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), Pembina County Memorial Hospital, Cavalier Municipal Airport, Tongue River Lodge, Kem Temple Shrine, American Legion, Farmers Coop Elevator, Cavalier School Board, boards of the United Methodist Churches, and three Cavalier retirement facilities.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret; children, Kathryn (Herb) Debban, Lenoir City, TN, Susan (Bart) Thompson, Flagstaff, AZ, Joan (Stan) Parrish, Deadwood, SD, John (Lonna) Hillis, Cavalier, ND; 11 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; sister, Lorraine McConnell, Cavalier, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred Faith in Action/Hospice or the Pembina County Memorial Hospital, 301 Mountain ST E, Cavalier, ND 58220.
Clergy: Rev. Lori Broschat
Military Rites: Laverne J. Thompson Post #11, Cavalier American Legion.
Music: Dan Parrish, Soloist and All of Jack's Grandchildren; ArvaDell Sharp and Joan Parish, Accompanists.
Casket Bearers: All of Jack's Grandchildren; Sara Debban Thorn, Kirk Debban, Jeanne Thompson Wiles, Ron Thompson, Lezlie Parrish Derber, Dan Parrish, Jim Parrish, Gail Parrish, Sadie Hillis, Whitney Hillis, and Hannah Hillis.