James E. Hillis (71), aka "Ed" or "Eddie", as his siblings liked to call him, went home to be with Jesus on October 24, 2012. He was the 9th of 10 children born to Melvin and Mary Hillis. He was born on March 4, 1941 in Clatskanie, Or. Ed was a jack of all trades. He had worked in paper mills, commercial insulation, and car and advertising sales. He also was an ordained minister. Being a minister was what he was absolutely passionate about from the age of 16. At the age of 17 he studied, ministered and taught in his brother Troy's bible school and started doing mission trips to Mexico. When he was 19 he met the love of his life, Gloria, and married her on June 24, 1960. They had 3 beautiful children: Sandra, Linda and Ron. Gloria shared Ed's passion for Christ and followed the call to Mexico in 1973 with kids in tow. They were missionaries there for 5 ½ years before heading back to Washington. After leaving Mexico, Ed's missionary work never ended. He was very involved in his local church, homeless shelters, and food banks. He loved people and would never turn down an opportunity to tell someone about the love of Jesus. Ed's pride and joy was his wife and family. He loved being a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He touched countless lives and was a man of honor and unshakable faith. The world won't be the same without him and he will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Mary Hillis, brothers Leroy, V.A. and Troy, daughter Sandra Hillis, grandson Cody Cearley and great-grandson Christopher Bricker. Ed is survived by his wife Gloria of 52 years, daughter Linda Cearley, son Ron and wife Kellie, 10 grandchildren: Patty and Ben Bricker, Aundrea, Katie-Jo, Ronnie, Nathan, Toni, Tyler, Jessica, and Jennifer, 4 great- grandchildren: Aaliyah, Yamaree, Jaden and Rylond, his 2 sisters: Lois Polk (Dick) and Vera Knudsen (Ray), brothers: Cloyde (Dornah), Boyd (Joyce), Larry (Veralene), Sam (Carrie), 2 sisters-in-law: Pat and Carol, and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:30 pm at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Kennewick, off of 10th and Union, followed by a celebration service at 3:00 p.m. at World Life Christian Center in Pasco. Viewing is available Monday, October 29, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday October 30, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home.