Arthur Gillis

Saginaw, Michigan

      Passed away December 30, 2014, Age 89 years.

      Art was born April 12, 1925 in Saginaw, Michigan and grew up in Plymouth, Michigan.  He returned to Saginaw shortly after high school. He married Janet Dougherty, October 16, 1954. She passed away March 26, 2001. Art was the owner of Gillis Locker, for many years the largest installer of lockers and shelving in the United States.  He also owned the Saginaw Bolters Men’s fastpitch softball team, which won the 1979 ISC World Championship.  Art served as softball coach at Saginaw Valley State University and also coached basketball/baseball at several Saginaw Catholic schools. He received the Ambassador of Tourism Award from Governor William Milliken in 1981 for bringing the ISC World Championship to Saginaw. He is a member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame; the Michigan Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame; the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame. He was an original member of the group who built Crooked Creek Golf Course.

      Art is survived by his children, Marc Gillis, Jayme (Gillis) Hendrickson; Doug (Jeannie) Gillis; his grandchildren, Ryan and Evan Gillis; Gus and Grant Hendrickson; his sister, Mary Katherine Bishop;

his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews.  He was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Erin Gillis.

       Funeral services will take place at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2015, at the W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Rd. Rev. Peter Gaspeny will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to St. Francis Home, 915 N. River Rd. Saginaw, MI 48609.