District Chief Mark Hilley

District Chief Mark Hilley, Gulfport Fire Department, and Harrison County Fire Service Battalion Chief age 53, passed away on September 1, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his father,  Kenneth Hilley; a sister, Daphne Berauer; his maternal grandparents, C.M. and Frankie Copeland; and his paternal grandparents, Paul and Elizabeth Day Hilley

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Carla Hilley; his children, Natalie Hilley and Cade Newman; his mother, Bonnie Copeland Cuevas; his sisters, Lisa Fisher (Donnie) and Julianne Hilley of TN; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins that were incredibly special to him.

Mark graduated with honors from Gulfport High in 1986. He enlisted at seventeen and served as an Amtrak Crew Chief in the U.S. Marine Corps for 8 years. He became a certified Master Auto Technician and then found his passion in fire-fighting. He dedicated his life to learning and teaching himself and others. Mark earned a Fire Science degree, became a paramedic and received numerous awards and medals throughout his professional career.

His work ethic was second only to the devotion he had for family, his greatest source of pride and accomplishment. It was Mark’s commitment to both that provided his family the stability and security to pursue life to the fullest. Scuba diving, motorcycle riding, working in the shed and playing piano or guitar were some of Mark’s favorite pastimes. It was time spent with family traveling, cooking, camping, concerts, movies and game nights that brought him the most joy.

Thank you for the outpouring of support from family which included friends, all first responders and many in the community including the medical staff of Memorial Hospital.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 6, 2021, from 9 - 11 am at First Baptist Church of Gulfport.  The funeral service will be at 11 am in the church sanctuary.  A fire procession will leave the church and return to Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport