JACKSONVILLE  -  William D. "Billy" Mills, 90, of Jacksonville, died Sunday, July 23, 2023 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 27 at Trinity Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Smith officiating.  Burial will follow at Onslow Memorial Park.

Mr. Mills is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Donniere Morton Mills; children, Don Mills and his wife, Frances of Swansboro, Bob Mills of Stella, and Kathy Mills Brown of Wilmington; sister, Beverly Parham of Dallas, TX; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Billy Mills was born October 8, 1932, in Maysville, NC to Leo Bell and Mildred Jones Mills. He graduated from White Oak High School in 1950 and attended East Carolina University before being activated to serve in the U.S. Army from 1951-1952.

He was an active businessman in Onslow County. He founded Mills & Thomas Furniture with Randolph Thomas in 1956; Seashore Realty in 1970; and Seashore Insurance and Associates in 1976. He was past president of the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Carolina Association of Professional Insurance Agents.

Mr. Mills represented Onslow County for three terms as an Onslow County Commissioner; three terms in the NC House of Representatives; and five terms as an NC Senator.

His community service included first President and charter member of the Jacksonville Breakfast Rotary Club. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow. Also, president of the East Carolina University Pirate Club; and a trustee of Pitt Memorial Hospital. He was a great supporter of higher education serving on the Board of Trustees of Coastal Carolina Community College; past president of the NC Association of Community Colleges; and on the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina.

Mr. Mills was a long-time member of Trinity Methodist Church; member of the Seaside Masonic Lodge; and member of the Scottish Rite Bodies and the Sudan Temple.

His family said he considered the highlights of his career was the NC Community College System recognizing him at the 20th anniversary awards; Coastal Carolina Community College naming a building after him; and being instrumental in the East Carolina University Medical School while in the state legislature.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, prior to the service, from 12:30 PM until 1:45 PM, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Methodist Church, 301 Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28540 or to the East Carolina University Educational Foundation, Inc. (Pirate Club), Ward Sports Medicine Building, Suite 304
Greenville, NC 27858-4353.