James R. “Jim” Pillar of East Liverpool, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, after dealing with medical issues for several years.
Jim was born in East Liverpool on July 27, 1944, and lived here for the majority of his life. He was 80 years old. He was the son of the late Pete and Lucille Gilkison Pillar. Jim was a Catholic and a former parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in East Liverpool. He attended St. Aloysius School for six years and graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1962. He was also a member of the East Liverpool Elks.
After nineteen years, Jim retired from Quaker State Oil Refinery as a lube oil blender, but not before making his mark and earning a little stardom in a 1982 Quaker State commercial. As a skilled bicyclist, he would commute to and from work each day, though his most impressive feat was a long-distance cycling trip from East Liverpool to Cincinnati. In his younger years, Jim could be found surrounded by friends enjoying the outdoors while 4-wheeling, canoeing, and swimming. Though his greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with his son, Jamie.
He devoted his life to being the friend that everyone needed. Whether hosting Christmas Eve parties, opening his pool for the whole neighborhood to swim, or chatting with friends on a slow Sunday morning, you were guaranteed to find him captivating audiences with his storytelling. Though you could never be sure how much truth you would find in those stories, you couldn’t help but hang on to every word he said. With his head tilted back, chin in the air, laughing so hard he couldn’t even finish his sentence, he could remind us all just how much joy there is to be found in life.
Many have wondered aloud how Jim was able to remain so optimistic even in the face of such adversity, but those who knew him best knew that his zest for life was so deeply woven into his being that nothing could have stopped him. To Jim, there was no such thing as an insurmountable barrier, only small speed bumps to sail over. They say people come in and out of our lives to teach us valuable lessons, and while Jim certainly taught us plenty of things not to do– I’ll let you fill in your own story here– he most definitely came into all of our lives to teach us one of life’s most important lessons; love the life you’re given. To know him was to know the joy of living.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerry and Ron.
Left with cherished memories are his son, James (Loretta) Pillar Jr. of Los Angeles, California, his sister, Marilyn (Conard) Frye of Fairview, PA; honorary family member and caregiver Chris Hammon, many close friends Huck, Chip, and Paul Hill, and loving nieces and nephews.
Friends are welcome to visit with Jim’s family at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Tuesday, November 26th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
In honor of Jim, consider donating to https://www.nationalmssociety.org/.