Benny Gillis, 68, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Monday, March 12, 2018, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Graveside services will be held 10 AM, Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, in Ben Hill County, Georgia, with the Rev. Dewain Joiner officiating. Victor Hulett will deliver the eulogy. The family will greet friends after the service.
Mr. Gillis was born September 15, 1949, in Ocilla, Georgia, to the late George Smith & Geraldine Dorminy Smith Gillis Bryant. He graduated from Gordon Military School in 1968 and later attended Georgia State College. Mr. Gillis served in the National Guard and also served as a Ben Hill Volunteer fireman for over 20 years. He was Fire Fighter of the Year for two years and served on the board. Mr. Gillis worked as a mechanic for Lowell Packing and he also worked for the Downings. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed sharing venison meat with everyone. Mr. Gillis was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
He is survived by his daughter: Belinda Perez of Ft. Worth, Texas; grandchildren: Elena Perez of Fitzgerald, Armando Perez of Douglas and Brianna Gillis of Ft. Worth, Texas; a great-grandchild, Armando Perez, Jr. and a sister, Sylvia & Jack Bryant of Fitzgerald. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-fathers, Lester Gillis and William “Bud” Bryant and a son, Brian Gillis.