No. 12 in Colusa's hearts

Hundreds of community members joined the family of Jordan Hillis on Saturday for an emotional goodbye to the 17-year-old Colusa High senior who died Sept. 21 in a rollover on Lonestar Road.

First Presbyterian Church overflowed with family and friends as they said goodbye to the much-loved student-athlete.

Many more attended a gathering at the Indian Community Complex auditorium to share stories about Hillis, who was known for his smile.

In the days following Hillis' death, the community's overwhelming support for the family was a testament to how many people he touched during his life, his mother, Sara Barron, said.

The scoreboard at the auditorium read "Home 12, Guest 0" and his No. 12 Colusa High basketball jerseys hung from the nets on the basketball court as about 500 friends and family shared a meal and stories of Hillis' life.

The conversations evoked laughter amid the tears and hugs during a lunch, as more than a hundred people wearing shirts with a photo of Hillis on the front, and his name and basketball number on the back stood together for a photo.

Hillis' mother, brother, John Barron, and father, John Barron, concluded the memorial outside where they released two boxes of butterflies.