Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 20, 2026

CHARLOTTE - Joe William Hillhouse, Jr. (Bill) passed away on May 20, 2026. Bill was born August 25, 1942 in Anderson, SC. He was the son of the late Joe William Hillhouse Sr. and Laura Dunlap Hillhouse of Charlotte, NC. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carole Hillhouse Ellis, of Greenville, SC. 

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances Landreth Hillhouse (Frankie); his children; Laura Hillhouse Shearer (Travis) of The Woodlands, Texas, Fran Hillhouse Gesing (Bernie) of Charlotte, NC, and Kate Hillhouse McCallum (David) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; seven grandchildren; Greer and Allie McCallum, Charlotte and Gray Shearer, Hill, Banks and Max Gesing; sister Cindy Hillhouse Murphy of Dallas, Texas. 

Bill was raised in Greenville, SC where he graduated from Greenville Senior High School in 1960. Upon graduating from Furman University, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. In 1968, he began a one year tour in the Republic of South Vietnam as the Commander of a signal detachment near Pleiku. After his discharge from active duty, he continued as a member of the United States Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1990. He returned to Greenville, SC in 1969 where he began his career with Duke Energy. Bill served in various management positions throughout North Carolina including Tryon, Kannapolis, Winston-Salem, Burlington, Hickory and Charlotte. He was active in each town's civic community, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Arts Council and Rotary. He was always involved with his Episcopal Church in each town. 

In 2003, Bill retired from Duke Energy as the Senior Vice President, Power Delivery for the Central Region. He and his wife, Frankie, moved back to Tryon, the place he loved most; where they enjoyed twenty-two years of small town life in the foothills of North Carolina. During retirement, Bill enjoyed serving on The Board for St. Luke's Hospital, President of Tryon Rotary Club and Treasurer of his beloved Holy Cross Episcopal Church. He enjoyed travel, golf, reading, and yard work; but most of all he enjoyed frequent visits from his seven grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Friday, June 19, 2026 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, NC with Father Robert Ard officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the ceremony. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holy Cross Episcopal Church, PO Box 279, Tryon, NC 28782 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.