Obituary of Ralph E. Hillis

Ralph E. Hillis, 94, of Charlotteville,NY passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.

Born on October 27, 1927, in Davenport, NY, Ralph was the son of the late George M. and Mary (Boyes) Hillis.  Ralph attended and graduated from Charlotte Valley Central School.  On September 14, 1947, he married Mabel S. More in Oneonta.

Ralph and Mabel owned and operated Willow Mill Stock Farm in Charlotteville, a Century Farm and Bi-Centennial Farm that has now been owned by five Hillis generations.

Ralph was a proud member of the Schenevus Valley Lodge #592 for over fifty years, mentoring many men over the years.  He was also a 32^nd degree Scottish Rite Freemason, member of the Schenevus Chapter #138 Order of the Eastern Star, a member of the Davenport Grange #1516, a Trustee of the Davenport Cemetery Association, a Farm Bureau member and Town of Worcester assessor, among many other community organizations.  

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Mabel S. Hillis; a daughter Linda Salvage; sons-in-law Lawrence Salvage and Gregory Overholtzer; and sibling Arthur Hillis.

Ralph is survived by his children: Patricia (Robert) Smith of Carlisle, George (Linda) Hillis of Morris, Cathleen Overholtzer of Bangor, ME; and Douglas (Melanie) Hillis of Charlotteville; twelve grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and sisters: Nellie Dent of Middlefield; Irene Buel of Delhi; Mollie (Marvin) Young of Ray Brook; and Joyce (Clifford) Shoemaker of Mosheim, TN; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Ralph’s special friends that enabled him to live independently in his home: Michelle VanLooy, Deb Wheeler, Sue Mickle, Mary Ann Nyback, Savannah Dufur, and June Decker.

Graveside services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Davenport Cemetery for Ralph and Mabel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Schenevus Valley Lodge #592, POB #358, Schenevus, NY 12155.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Hillis family.

Please follow the link below to watch Mabel and Ralph's graveside service. 

Hillis Graveside Service