John William "Bill" Mills, Sr.

John William "Bill" Mills, Sr. December 4, 1922-March 29, 2007. John "Bill" Mills, 84 years old, departed this world on Thursday, March 29, 2007 and went home to his family who have all been gone for far too many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Marie Henley, of Straughn, Indiana; his parents, Robert James Mills and Annie Mae Green, of North and South Carolina; a sister, Mary Ann Watson and a brother, Robert James Mills, both of Columbia, South Carolina. He is survived by his son, John William Mills, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Rita Mills and their children, Robert Mills, Jessica Weiss, Jodi Weiss and Jennifer Weiss; and his canine companion, Chi-Chi. Bill was very accomplished in both his career and personal life. Born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1922, he graduated from Columbia High School in 1942 and worked as a brakeman with the railroad. He answered his country's call in 1943 by joining the Marines, where he served as a rifleman in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, he returned to Columbia State to attain a college education in business administration. Upon graduating, he began his Civil Service career in VA Administration. This job is what led him to settle and eventually retire in Biloxi. He moved here in 1974 with young son Johnny and his lovely bride, Marjorie. He served as Chief Medical Administrator for VA of Biloxi until his retirement in 1983. During his career, he was responsible for comprising and instituting policies and policy changes at a national level, which were adopted and followed through at all VA hospitals. He was a member of Sunkist Country Club and an avid golfer, fisherman, gardener, poker player and pool shark. Visitation is Tuesday, April 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. on April 4 at Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home on Pass Road in Biloxi. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery. All our lives are richer for having known him and for the sacrifices and contributions he made to society. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.