Job Bodiola Pontillas, 85, of Harrison Ark., passed away May 30, 2026, at his home in Harrison.
Job was born January 3, 1941, in the rural province of Camarines Sur in the Philippines, a son of Aurelio and Patrocinio Badiola Pontillas. He completed his medical degree from the University of the Philippines in 1965. In 1966, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he completed an Internship at Deaconess Hospital. He later finished his surgical residency at Missouri Pacific Hospital in 1970 and went on to complete a fellowship with the American College of Surgery.
Dr. Pontillas devoted his life to caring for others through medicine. He maintained a surgical practice in Perryville for 35 years and also practiced in Illinois, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Beyond his work, Job was known for his vibrant personality and love for life. He was a lifelong golfer and enjoyed tennis, ping pong, karaoke, musical theater, attending movies, traveling, exploring new places, and watching American Idol. He especially loved ice cream and was famous for saying, “A day without ice cream is a day without sunshine.”
In April 2006, he married Teresa Pontillas in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple enjoyed their retirement years together in the Ozarks.
Job was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Laurie Pontillas, two brothers, Raul Pontillas and Tom Pontillas, and his mother-in-law, Lajuan Gosha.
Survivors include his wife, Teresa Pontillas of the home, a son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Annie Pontias of Barre, Vermont, a daughter and son-in-law, Maria and Rory shackles of Warrenville, Illinois, three stepsons and daughters in law, Andrew and Penny Austin of Lead Hill, Arkansas, Jason Austin of Omaha, Arkansas, and Cody and Sarah Austin of Lead Hill, a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Meleah and Joey Demeyer of Harrson, granddaughters, Piper, Kaycee, Carley, Callie, and Amanda, grandsons, Dylan, Hunter, Ayden, and Ashton, and a sister, Consuela “Lulu” Sabalvaro.
The funeral was held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, at Holt Memorial Chapel with Bro. Aubrey Morris officiating. Burial will be in Milium Cemetery at Lead Hill under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
Pallbearers were Ryan Pontillas, Rory Shackles, Andrew Austin, Jason Austin, Cody Austin, and Joey Demeyer.
