Jim Hillyer

James Robert Hillyer, 68, of Jonesboro departed this life, on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Jonesboro. He

was born to the late Bob Hillyer and Marie Hillyer in Piggott, Arkansas on March 3, 1952.

Jim was a loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, son, and brother. He thrived in his role as ‘Papa’. He adored the written word and spent his spare time reading books and writing. He loved sharing God’s love with others and was an ordained minister, formerly serving as the pastor of Oak View General Baptist Church and Rogers Chapel Community Church. He worked as an industrial engineer for many years and was most recently an adjunct professor through ASU’s Delta Center, helping teams work together better. He was a member of the Mo-Ark Presbytery for more than 35 years. He was the smartest, kindest, and wittiest guy anyone knew.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Brenda Hillyer, of the home; daughters: Amy Elrod (Russ) and Brittany Kincaid (Brett); his mother Marie Hillyer; sister June Somers-Caudill (Larry); grandchildren Emma and Ethan Elrod and Vivian, Patrick, and Eleanor Kincaid; and his aunts, an uncle, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jim is preceded in death by his father Bob Hillyer.

The family will hold a private service at New Hope Cemetery in Pollard, AR, on Monday March 30, officiated by Jim’s dear friend Reverend Royce Schanda and coordinated by Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held later in the year.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Spurlock, Russ Elrod, Brett Kincaid, and Ethan Elrod.

The family is grateful for the outstanding care he received from the ICU staff of NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, where he spent his last days and captured the hearts of the nurses there.