Dennis Lee Hillis

Dennis Lee Hillis, age 39, of Onaway, died on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. The son of Thomas and Mary (Barnes) Hillis, Dennis was born in Port Huron, Michigan on December 31, 1985, and was raised in Tower from the time he was just a toddler.
There couldn't have been a better place for Dennis to grow-up than Tower, Michigan. Kids to find mischief with were plentiful, along with- woods to play in, fort building, hide and seek, riding bikes, the Black River, the Tower Store, Whitman Hill, and Tower Pond for fishing, catching frogs, and kayaking. It was where friendships and memories were made to last a lifetime. It would be safe to say that many of Dennis' favorite hobbies stemmed from the things he experienced as a kid growing up in Tower and also led him to be a strong advocate for getting kids outside to experience nature and outdoor activities.
As an adult, Dennis was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for kayaking and camping. He paddled the Black River quite often, but also floated the Rifle River, AuSable, and other Northern Michigan waters. Some of his best memories were setting-up camp on a riverbank, sitting around a fire with friends, and then drifting off to sleeping under the stars after a day of kayaking. It didn't matter what season of the year, Dennis was always up for a float down the river He loved the rushing turbulence of the springtime melt, the icy waters of winter with snow blanketing the surrounding woods, and the slow lazy flow of the river during summertime.
Dennis was a humanitarian who believed everyone deserves a chance. He was passionate about politics, justice, and doing the right thing. He had strong beliefs, big feelings, and a tender heart. Close with his parents and siblings, Dennis believed family came first. He was adored by his nieces and nephews, in fact, kids loved and gravitated to Dennis. He was "Uncle Dennis" to more than just his own nieces and nephews as the children of his friends were also quite fond of him. With deep respect for his mom and dad, his relationship with his parents was very meaningful to him. Unfortunately, Dennis experienced death at a young age when he lost his mother to cancer in 1997 and then in 2023 his dad also passed away. Profoundly affected by their deaths, Dennis struggled with loneliness and a broken heart. Although his personality was intense and sometimes quite challenging, Dennis will be remembered for standing up for what he believed in, supporting the underdog, being loyal, compassionate, honest, generous, and having immeasurable love for his family and friends.
He leaves his sisters, Kimberly Hillis of Onaway, Brandy (James) Warner of Imlay City, and Lee Ann (Warren) Doss of Marysville; brothers, Jon (Julie) Hillis of Fresno, California, Daniel (Lauren) Hillis of Macomb, and Jack (Krista) Hillis of Maryland; his canine companion, his beloved Lab - Great Dane mix, Sophie Girl; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mary Hillis.
Dennis' family will celebrate his life on Saturday, August 23, 2025, with a memorial float/kayak down the Black River immediately followed by a barbeque at Dennis' home on Black River Road. More details will be published later. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a contribution in memory of Dennis to help pay for his final expenses, c/o Chagnon Funeral Home.