Doris Maurine Hillis passed from this life at age 81 on the afternoon of October 12, 2012, following a struggle with dementia at the end of a life of caring for others. Her husband of 53 years was by her side. Doris Maurine Watkins was born to C. W. and Minnie Watkins on September 17, 1931 in Goliad, Texas, the youngest of the couple’s nine children. The family moved to Agua Dulce, TX during Doris’s elementary school years. Doris graduated from Agua Dulce High School in 1949. After a two-year course at a business college in San Antonio, TX, Doris was employed by Champlin Oil Company at a site near Agua Dulce. She met Earl Hillis while he was going through naval flight training in Kingsville, TX in 1956. Earl deployed to Antarctica and Doris was able to communicate with him by ham radio. They were married in February 19, 1959 in Norfolk, VA where Earl was stationed. Following Earl’s tour in Norfolk, they were transferred to Fallon, NV for a tour of duty. In 1963 they were transferred back to the East coast and stationed at Patuxent River, MD. On May 4, 1965, while residing at Patuxent River, they adopted their son William. In 1966 they moved to Nashville, TN where they served for two years as house parents for the Green Hills Children’s Home. In 1968 they moved to Pleasant Hill and later Concord, CA. In 1972, the Hillis family moved to Anacortes, WA where Earl had purchased Ailor Bookkeeping and taken charge of their accounts. Doris worked as an office manager for their CPA practice for more than 20 years, retiring in 1993 when the business was sold to David Hall, CPA. For many years, Doris taught Sunday school at the Oak Harbor Church of Christ, where she and her family have been members since 1983. Doris is survived by her husband of 53 years, Earl Hillis in Anacortes. Her son and daughter-in-law William and Nan Hillis and granddaughter Shalan Hillis, all in Shanghai, China; sisters, Pauline Streadl of Alice, TX, and Inez Sewell of Victoria, TX; sister-in-law Betty Watkins of Batson, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation was held from 2 – 6:00 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2012 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes, along with a graveside service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 19, 2012 at Fernhill Cemetery in Anacortes. A memorial service was held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Oak Harbor Church of Christ. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Doris, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.