William Jerry Hiers, Sr.

HIERS The Chief, William Jerry Hiers, Sr., passed from this life on May 26, 2014. Jerry was born in Jacksonville on February 10, 1939, son of Barney "Joe" Hiers and Lila Irene Allen Hiers, both of Chiefland, FL. He graduated from Robert E Lee High School in 1956 and Jacksonville University (Jr. College) in August 1960. Jerry was employed by the City of Jacksonville, Department of Sanitation, in 1956 and transferred to the Fire Department in 1961. His original station assignment was #13 in San Marco. After his promotion to Engineer, Jerry was transferred to the Fire Prevention Bureau, where he advanced to Lieutenant, Captain and Division Chief / Fire Marshall prior to retirement after 32 years of service in May, 1988. Jerry served as adjunct faculty in the Fire Service Program at Florida Community College for several years. In May of 1983, the Chief founded F.I.R.E., Inc., a private fire Investigation business, which he operated out of Middleburg until 2002, at which time investigations were handled by his son Jerry Jr. Jerry is survived by a devoted and loving wife of 38 years, Jane Hill Hiers; three children, A. Stacy Amerson (John) of Ft. McCoy, W. Jerry Hiers, Jr (Jennifer) of Mandarin, and Jason A Hiers (Nicole, fiancé)of Norman, OK; three grand-children, Hailee Barrett Amerson, Owen Henry Hiers, Lila Jo Hiers, and one soon to be step-grandson Nicholas Jones. Jerry is also survived by his mother-in-law, Mary Jane Podein; two brothers, Daniel Webster Hiers (Mary Jo) and Harold Allen (Elva) and four nieces as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. Jerry was predeceased by his parents and grandparents. The entire Hiers family would like to thank the physicians and nursing staff who led his excellent care at the Neuro ICU & Hospice both located at St Vincent's Medical Center, Riverside, and that could not have occurred without the prompt response, attention and care provided by the Clay County Fire Rescue and St Vincent's Clay County Emergency Dept. Blessing & Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 13, 2014, at St Luke's Catholic Church, Middleburg, FL at 10:30 AM. In lieu of Flowers the family requests donations to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd Jacksonville, Fl 32257 or St Luke's Catholic Church Crucifixion Project, 1606 Blanding Blvd, Middleburg, FL 32068. Arrangements by Naugle Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1203 Hendricks Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32207.