Willie D. Mills was born on 24 July 1941 in Madisonville, KY, and passed away on Aug. 3, 1990; he was 49.
At the time of his death, his mom, Luro Jane Berry Mills, had already passed away. His dad, William D. Mills, was still living, as was his wife, Marsha Larkin Mills and a son, Jonah M. Mills; all of Madisonville; and his sister, Jane Mills Brockman, who was living in Owensboro in 1990.
Willie entered his father's welding business, Mills Welding and Machine, Inc., as full partner in 1962. It was incorporated in 1971. The business' main product was fabricating truck and shovel cabs and radiator repair.
Mills' interest included Indian dancing while in high school (he was an Eagle Scout) and participated in half time events at MHS football games.
While in the U.S. Army, he was Pvt. Willie D. Mills, and attained the highest score in training proficiency testing while in basic combat training at Ft. Chaffee, Ark. He was given a trophy for that task, had his picture taken with Madisonville's Lt. Col. E.S. Holloway, commander of the 2d Battalion, 398th Regiment. Pvt. Willie D. scored 93.75 per cent. It was the highest score out of 3,000 men who trained with the 100th Div. He was 2d Battalion's clerk-typist.
Willie was a member and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. Barnett-Strother Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements; Revs. Jack Pitzer and Bob King officiated at his funeral. He was buried in Oddfellows Cemetery.
His sister, Jane Ellen Brockman, who now lives in Lexington, KY, wrote to me, recalling her thoughts of him as a brother. She remembered "his warm smile, his love of golf and that he was a great friend." She also said, "He was generous, he listened, he cared. He lives in the hearts of those who shared his love for life. He soars with the eagles."
Bill Adcock
Willie D. Mills was born on 24 July 1941 in Madisonville, KY, and passed away on Aug. 3, 1990; he was 49.At the time of his death, his mom, Luro Jane Berry Mills, had already passed away. His dad, William D. Mills, was still living, as was his wife, Marsha Larkin Mills and a son, Jonah M. Mills; all of Madisonville; and his sister, Jane Mills Brockman, who was living in Owensboro in 1990.
Willie entered his father's welding business, Mills Welding and Machine, Inc., as full partner in 1962. It was incorporated in 1971. The business' main product was fabricating truck and shovel cabs and radiator repair.
Mills' interest included Indian dancing while in high school (he was an Eagle Scout) and participated in half time events at MHS football games.
While in the U.S. Army, he was Pvt. Willie D. Mills, and attained the highest score in training proficiency testing while in basic combat training at Ft. Chaffee, Ark. He was given a trophy for that task, had his picture taken with Madisonville's Lt. Col. E.S. Holloway, commander of the 2d Battalion, 398th Regiment. Pvt. Willie D. scored 93.75 per cent. It was the highest score out of 3,000 men who trained with the 100th Div. He was 2d Battalion's clerk-typist.
Willie was a member and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. Barnett-Strother Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements; Revs. Jack Pitzer and Bob King officiated at his funeral. He was buried in Oddfellows Cemetery.
His sister, Jane Ellen Brockman, who now lives in Lexington, KY, wrote to me, recalling her thoughts of him as a brother. She remembered "his warm smile, his love of golf and that he was a great friend." She also said, "He was generous, he listened, he cared. He lives in the hearts of those who shared his love for life. He soars with the eagles."