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Willis Hillery Obituary
Willis Joel Hillery Sr., MSgt, USAF (Ret), referred to by those who loved him as "Joel," was born Aug. 18, 1955, and transitioned to his eternal resting place on Nov. 7, 2025. Known for his resilience, strength, firm but loving ways, and the ability to fix or build almost anything, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, community and, most importantly, family.
As a part of his legacy and the countless lives he touched, Joel leaves behind his loving and devoted wife,Karen Grovner Hillery; and his dedicated children, Willis Joel Hillery Jr. (Sheba) and Jade Hillery; his loving bonus son, who he referred to as his baby boy, AJ "Mann" Spencer (Elaine); his beautiful grandchildren, Zoey Hillery and Jasmine Smith; his siblings, Vivian Hunt, Betty Spaulding, Naomi Garner (Randall), Diane Garner, MeShawn Holmes (Donovan), Hubert Hillery Sr. (Mika) and Cynthia Hillery-Jackson (Rodney); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; his dear nephew whom he poured into and groomed to fill his shoes on Sapelo, Randall Garner Jr.; his brothers-in-law, Mike Grovner Sr. (Barbara) and Charles Grovner (June); his aunts, Ollie Mae Hillery, Emma Atwater, Pamela Grovner and Delores Seilgman; his devoted and supportive cousins, Anthony Jones, Valerie Hillery and Delphine Wilson; his close friend, Fred Hay; and dear classmate, Ginger Hodges; his very special godson, Ayden Dunwoody who called Joel "Poppa;" his goddaughter, Tamara Mills; and additional special godchildren, James Dunwoody Jr. and Morgan Hay; and his very loving and devoted goddaughter, Francine Bailey.
The viewing will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at Darien Funeral Home.
A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Zion Missionary Baptist Association; 1111 Johnson Road, in Crescent, with interment to follow in Behavior Cemetery, on Sapelo Island.
Darien Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Family-placed obituary
The Brunswick News, November 14, 2025
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Memories and Condolences
for Willis Hillery
Sponsored by Darien Funeral Home.
1 Entry
Patricia Austell
November 14, 2025
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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Darien Funeral Home1000 CA Devillars Rd. Post Office Box 747, Darien, GA 31305
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