Joseph Francis Hills
LAKESIDE – Joseph Francis Hills, 79, husband of Judith A. (Bargeron) Hills, of Lakeside, Arizona, passed peacefully on Thursday, November 8, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona, after a year-long battle with renal cancer. Joseph was the youngest son of the late Delos C. and Marie A. (Rafferty) Hills. In addition to his wife Judy, of 58 years, Joe is survived by five children, Joseph J. Hills (Maryann); Jeffrey F. Hills (Dawn); Julie McCarthy (David); Jennifer Ann Hills; and Jessica Waldroup (Luke); two sisters, Patricia Tucker (Thomas) and Janet Finn (Emmett); 11 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles D. Hills, and Charles’ wife, Jane (McErlean). Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1939, Joe had an entrepreneurial spirit and developed a work ethic from a young age. He decided to head West to Arizona, with his family in 1973, where he bought Jimmy’s Radio and Television Corporation. He was a radio repairman by trade and learned to fix radios while serving in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He loved everything mechanical and electrical, and he could repair just about anything. When he was not fixing something, Joe enjoyed woodworking, pen turning, boating, and walking his faithful dog companions. His granddaughters were especially pleased by his intricate creations for their dolls. You could tell him any joke and he would tell you the punch line. He loved the harmonica and had a talent for recalling the lyrics to nostalgic songs. Joe was a devoted family man, putting family and faith above all else. He served on many parish councils and capital campaigns. He was a champion for Catholic Charities, Boys & Girls Club of AZ, Kiwanis Club of Phoenix, and Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (Our Little Brothers and Sisters). He was also a key player in the restoration of Rainbow Lake. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Scottsdale on Saturday, December 1st at 11am with a luncheon to following the service. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Indian School Mortuary.