Charles Willis Hills Jr. Charles Willis Hills Jr. of Hessel enjoyed cooking, and worked as a cook at several area restaurants over the years. His "cheeseburger soup" was a favorite dish of his patrons. For many years, he owned and operated The Ponderosa Restaurant at Nunn's Creek, and he also sold smoked whitefish.

Mr. Hills was 81 when he died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

He was born December 14, 1926, in Pellston, to Charles Willis and Maud (nee Duncan) Hills.

Friends recall that Mr. Hills was good with animals, and nursed many animals back to health, including a raccoon, skunk, bobcat, and monkey. Most recently, Mr. Hills enjoyed the company of a hawk that stayed near him most of one summer.

Mr. Hills also enjoyed gardening and keeping his yard maintained. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well.

Mr. Hills is survived by his life partner of 29 years, Dorothy Jean McKerchie, and her four children and their families, Phyllis and Robert Gilray of Temperance, Carol and Robert Holland of Cedarville, Robert McKerchie of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Michael and Val McKerchie of Forest Junction, Wisconsin; nine grandchildren and their families, Ben Gilray, Aaron and Sarah Gilray, Heather and David Veth, Cory Holland, Miranda McKerchie, Brent McKerchie, Jennifer and Joshua Webb, Jessica Shaurette, and Tommy Bunnell, and seven great-grandchildren, Isabella Holland, Merritt Veth, Delia Veth, Gunner Veth, Hunter Gilray, Natalie Kohl, and Kendra Webb.

Mr. Hills was preceded in death by his parents, several other family members, and by his grandson, Brent Gilray.

A memorial service will be Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m. at Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville. A luncheon will follow at Bethel Lutheran Church in Cedarville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Les Cheneaux Ambulance Auxiliary, P.O. Box 453, Hessel, 49745.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home of Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.