James William (Jim) Hulsizer of Florence passed away early Sunday morning, Sept. 16.

Jim was born June 29, 1938 to James Wesley and Lula Leo Lentz Hulsizer in Barnsdale, OK. Mr. Hulsizer served his country; He was Staff Sargeant in the 101st Signal Battalion in the Arkansas National Guard. He was very involved in the Alabama Patriot Guard Riders and had a great deal of respect for our veterans and all who served this country in any of the Armed Services. Mr. Hulsizer served the Lord; He was a Missionary Baptist and was a dedicated student of the Word. He served as a deacon, treasurer, missions treasurer, teacher, handyman and in any other way he thought he could bring glory to the Lord through His church. He was a great friend to all his pastors and he had a passion for missions that was felt, quite literally, all over the world. He loved church camp and served valiantly the Yellow Creek Association Youth Camp in Hodges, AL. Mr. Hulsizer served his family. He was the ultimate family man. He loved his wife and took her all over America as he worked to support her and his children, (New York, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Oregon and Alabama). Together they raised three children who continue to love and admire their father and mother. They readily welcomed son and daughters-in-law to the family and loved them as their own. They served as doting grandparents to their children’s children at Pop & Mamaw. Their hearts were delighted as they fell instantly in love with each one of their four great-grandchildren. He was a wonderful example of a gentle, godly man of integrity to his children and to everyone who was lucky enough to meet him. Mr. Hulsizer served those for whom, and with whom, he worked. He was an exceptional welder and would go on in his later years to teach welding to a new generation of welders. He worked 35 years and retired from Reynolds Metals after served in Arkansas, Oregon and Alabama. He walked out of Reynolds on a Friday and walked into Merrill Lynch the following morning as a stock broker. He would work there until his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and he retired again to care for her. He was constantly doing “projects” for his friends and neighbors. He often joked that he could fix anything but a rainbow or a broken heart. The world has lost a wonderful example of a gentleman, a hard-worker, and a gracious leader. Mr. Hulsizer served his community. After his second retirement, he found a home within the Mid-Lauderdale Volunteer Fire Department and he threw himself completely into the work. He truly enjoyed the friendships he made through his “fire family” and he felt a sense of worth and accomplishment through the work that he did. He was surrounded by young firefighters and tried to help them every way he could, he even did a great job keeping up with them. He served on the Lauderdale County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments board and was chosen the 2014 Firefighter of the Year.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Lula Leo Lentz (Hulsizer), his father, James Wesley Hulsizer, Parents-In-Law, Olen Jesse & Ivanette Arey, an infant brother, a half-sister Jamie Hulsizer Morgan, Sister-in-Law Dianna Arey Denton, and an infant grandson Andrew Thomas Hulsizer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Anna Janice Arey Hulsizer of Florence, AL. Three children; Jeffery Randolph Hulsizer (Shelia) of Benton, AR, Jeanine Hulsizer Thacker (Kobin) of Rogersville, AL & Jason Michael Hulsizer (Patty), of Florence, AL. Brother-In-Law Jesse Glen Arey (Doris) of Weatherford, TX, Eight (8) grandchildren, Jessica Lynne Petty (Matt), Collin O’Neal Peek (Kylie), Jennifer Leigh Hulsizer, Daniel Brady Hulsizer, Hannah Jane Phillips (Trevor), Reece William Thacker (US Marine recruit, Parris Island, SC), Mary Elizabeth Hulsizer, John Caleb Hulsizer. Four great-grandchildren, Savannah Grace Petty, Charlotte Elizabeth Petty, Evelyn Catherine Phillips and Anderson James Peek.

Additionally he leaves behind a wonderfully, faithful friend whom he considered another son, Curt Smith and his family of Killen, AL. He was a faithful friend and the evidence of that lies in the many, many friends he had throughout his life.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 19 at Florence Blvd. Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Brother David Gregg and Brother John Owen officiating.

The Hulsizer family would like to thank Dr. Felix Morris, hospice nurse, Jami Terry, caregiver Chiquita Jackson, and the nurses of the Palliative Care unit at ECM for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Florence Blvd. Missionary Baptist Church or the Mid-Lauderdale Volunteer Fire Department.