Dr. Robert Stephen Hillis

Tyler native Robert Stephen Hillis, M.D. (Steve) passed away Saturday, Feb 21 at Hospice of East Texas Homeplace at the age of 83. He was born Sep 26, 1942, in Tyler, TX, at Mother Francis Hospital, where he eventually returned to practice medicine for much of his career.

He attended the following Tyler schools: Caldwell Playschool, Gary Elementary, Bell Elementary, Hogg Junior High School, Tyler High School, Robert E Lee High School, and Tyler Junior College. He earned his undergraduate degree in History from the University of Texas and medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.

In 1965, he married his wife of 59 years, June Lillard Colville Hillis, and they embarked on a life full of love, adventure, family, and friends. After completing medical school and an internship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, he enlisted in the United States Airforce and was stationed with his wife and 2 toddlers at Iraklion Air Base on the island of Crete from 1970-1972 where he and June formed lifelong friendships.

Upon returning to the U.S., he completed his medical training as a urologist with a residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, 1972 – 1976, and then at M.D. Anderson in Houston, 1976 - 1977. He returned to Tyler in 1977 to practice, joining his longtime mentor and friend, Dr. W. Earl Clawater. He practiced in Tyler until his retirement in 2004.

Steve was known for his magnificent sense of humor and for telling and appreciating good stories, playing and enjoying sports of all kinds, and savoring all sorts of desserts. He approached his medical practice with compassion and skill. He gave back to his community in many ways, serving on various charitable boards and committees. Above all, he was dedicated to his family, always encouraging, listening, and supporting.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace Rice Hillis and Leslie Floyd Hillis. He is survived by his sister, Harriet Kay Hillis Jansma and husband, Jerome; his brother L. David Hillis, M.D. and wife, Nancy (Addington); his son Andrew David Hillis, and wife, Hillary (Collins); his daughter Hollie Hillis Ober and husband, David; grandchildren Collin Scott Ober and wife, Alexis (Flickner), Hayden Garrison Hillis and his wife, Kayla (Perrine), Evan Thomas Ober, Riley Steven Hillis, and Nanci Grace Hillis and her partner, Dante Bushman; greatgrandchildren Chloe Belle Hillis and Daisy May Hillis.

His family is extremely grateful for the loving care provided by Alice Medford, Tomika Austen, Janet McCann, the staff at Prestige Estates Memory Care and Hospice of East Texas.

Visitation will be Friday Mar 6, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Lloyd James Funeral Home (1011 E 1st St, Tyler, TX 75701). A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Tyler on Saturday, Mar 7, at 11:00am (230 W Rusk St, Tyler, TX 75701). Donations in his memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Tyler and Hospice of East Texas.