William Blakeley Mills, best known as Bill, of Thomasville and Mint Hill, NC, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2024.
Born in Raleigh, NC on September 26, 1928 to Walter Hartwick Mills Sr. of Raleigh, NC and Jesse Brown (Quinn) Mills of Rutherfordton, NC. His grandfather was John Allison Mills and his great grandfather was Private Wiley J. Mills, an American Civil War soldier.
He was the youngest of five children. His siblings, all of whom preceded him in death, Myrtle Mills Hilton, John Allison Mills, II, Robert Edward Mills, and Walter ‘Hardy’ Mills, Jr., mentored and schooled Bill in dance, music, riding motorcycles, having fun, humor, critical thinking and excellence in all one sets out to do in their life. They also, like his parents, instilled in Bill a love of Country and God and Family.
Bill’s siblings served in World War II in the Eighth Army Air Corps, the Army Air Corp, the Army Artillery, and the Office of Strategic Services OSS. This example led Bill upon graduation from Broughton High School in 1947 to earn his pilot’s license and then to enroll in The Citadel Military College in Charleston, SC. This started his three-decade military career. While being at The Citadel, he finished as a “senior private” and was known as the one who walked more tours than any other cadet in his class. Bill was selected to be a Bon Volunteer and earned a space in the Summerall Guard. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
After the Korean Conflict, Bill entered the US Air Force Reserves. He climbed the ranks, where he served as a Judge Advocate Officer. He retired in 1982 as a “full bird” Colonel.
After leaving active-duty, Bill entered Wake Forest University Law School when Wake Forest was still in Wake County. As an attorney, Bill worked long hours after opening his office in Thomasville in 1956. He practiced in many areas of the law including criminal defense, personal injury, workers compensation, disability, employment law, commercial law, tax law, family law, real estate, wills and estates and traffic. In the 1960’s, he served as the District Attorney for Thomasville before the Unified Court System was established in 1970. Bill retired after 66 years as an attorney.
Bill’s motto was “the difficult we do every day and the impossible takes a little more time”.
Bill served the community in many ways including the Davidson County Airport Board, the Thomasville Board of Equalization, the Thomasville Foundation, the Thomasville Lions Club, Memorial United Methodist Church, US Representative Howard Coble’s US Military Academy Selection Committee, and the Memorial Day Parade Committee. He served as drive chairman for the United Way. He was on the board of directors of the Tom A Finch YMCA and the ABC Board. He believed that with rights come responsibilities. He loved America and this love was reflected in much of what he did. He hired youngsters in his grocery store and restaurant. He provided internships at his law office to high school, college and law students to give them the opportunity to flourish.
He was friendly and helpful. Bill was never too busy to assist an out of county lawyer or visiting Judge. He was always ready to welcome and support the newcomer. He was genuinely interested in people and where their journey had taken them and where their aspirations were driving them. Bill was quick with a smile and a joke. When life was difficult, he let stress roll off his back like water gliding off a duck’s back.
Bill enjoyed fun. Friday nights at Cushwa Stadium watching the Thomasville Bulldogs play football, viewing parade at The Citadel, seeing his daughters and their friends at the beach cutting up was always entertainment for him. One of his great loves was Matilda, his Cessna 182 Skylane airplane. Besides flying all over the United States, he would fly racecar drivers or their crew to Daytona in the early days. He flew friends to Madison for a fish sandwich and to Hersey, Pennsylvania for Classic Car Shows. He loved “choir practice” and gathering with his friends to play cards, singing at the Lions Club and the Tail Twister humor. Bill looked forward to Quiet Birdmen who would gather to talk about aviation. The George E Preddy Board for WWII flying ace was also a passion of his.
During a Memorial Day celebration in 2011, Bill received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award that is North Carolina’s highest honor. It is presented to an individual with a proven record of extraordinary service to the State and local community. It also recognizes a person’s excellence in their career.
Bill endowed scholarships, created opportunities for young people and invested his time, talent and resources in those around him and his community knowing the person you help today is likely to make life better for others tomorrow. Bill has passed yet he remains with us.
In 1968, Bill and Annette Posti married. They travelled the world together and raised three daughters. Susan Hollowell (Dave) Tampa, Florida, Sharon Hutchens now deceased (Bobby) Welcome, NC, and Cathy Graham (Steve) Matthews, NC. Bill enjoyed watching his six grandchildren, Michael and Emily Hollowell, Taylor Loaces, Trey Hutchens, Jacob and Kendall Graham, explore the arts, compete in sports and the race track, excel in school and find their own way in the world. Taylor and his wife, Alex, also made Bill a great grandfather with their son, Beckett, who he loved to watch play with his toys.
A memorial service will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church in Thomasville at a later date as announced with an interment service at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
The family would like to thank Hayley, Kara, Corinthian, Sabine, Dominique, Amber, Stephanie, Moorea and The Post at Mint Hill for the love, support and care given to ‘The Colonel’ during his residency there.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Citadel Foundation 171 Moultrie Street Charleston, SC 29409-6230, Memorial United Methodist Church P.O. Box 428, Thomasville, N.C. 27361, or to the Annual Thomasville Memorial Day Parade P.O. Box 2660, Thomasville, NC 27361. Online condolences may be sent to www.jcgreenandsons.com.