Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Willis Ray Mills Memorial
Willis Ray Mills Memorial

Willis Ray Mills

Willis Ray Mills

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Willis Ray Mills, 85, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Birchview Memory Care in Sedro Woolley.
He was born the 9th of 10 children on February 4, 1926 on the family farm in Boyd County, Nebraska, the son of Earl & Eithel (Cork) Mills. He graduated from nearby Bonesteel (South Dakota) High School with the class of 1943.
Willis worked on the family farm until enlisting in the U.S. Navy in January of 1945 where he served on the USS Zeilin as a Water Tender/Machinist Mate. He also operated landing craft transporting soldiers to the war torn beaches in the pacific. He was honorable discharged July 1946.
On June 21, 1947 he was united in marriage to Jean Temple in Sedro-Woolley and they made their home there until moving to Burlington in 1949, returning to Sedro-Woolley in 1963.
Willis worked in the Skagit Steel foundry for a short period and then for many years as a mechanic at Harry’s Texaco Station and then Harry’s A-1 Tires in Sedro-Woolley, specializing in front end alignments. He then worked as mechanic for Pierre Mendel Logging until going to work for the Skagit County Road Department, working as a mechanic and then shop supervisor, retiring in 1986. He was a good worker, the type who would be doing the work while others watched.
He attended the Free Methodist Church in Burlington and then the Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Sedro-Woolley.
Other than his family, one of Willis’ passions in retirement was restoring John Deere tractors, where for over 25 years he has restored several and enjoyed showing them in parades all around the northwest. He was a founding member of the Cascade Two-Cylinder Tractor Club. In recent years he received a lot of attention (which he loved) with his diamond willow cane and his John Deere and Navy caps.
Willis is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean, at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. She will miss the most his wonderful hands, regardless of the type of work he did, his hands were always soft and they enjoyed holding hands during the last year of his life. He is also survived by his sons, Mike Mills and his wife, Rita of Southlake, TX and Randy Mills and his wife, Beth of Pilot Rock, OR; four grandchildren, Corrinne, Garrett (wife Sarah), Nolan, and Mackenzie Mills; his brother Marvin Mills; three sisters, Ruth Dummer, Hazel Fritz, and Leona Mathis; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Sidney, Earl Jr., and Leslie; and sisters Beulah Gilbert and Margaret Robertson.
The family would like to thank Dr. Wayne Martin for being there all through our difficult journey; the wonderful care from Hospice; and the staff at Birchview for being there for us. We are grateful for living in a caring neighborhood, a special thanks to neighbors Dave and Darcy Deach, Howie and Theresa Fox; friends Paul and Jan Hieb and Marge Eberli; niece Robbyn and husband John Seymour. Also to all the wonderful people that gave hugs and advice when needed and their uncanny ability to do and say the right thing at exactly the right time.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Cascade Two-Cylinder Tractor Club Museum Fund, c/o Tom Jensen, Treasurer, 202 Rainbow Dr, Burlington, WA 98233; Hospice of the Northwest, 819 S. 13th St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273; or Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 10217 Collins Rd, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Dr. Wayne Martin officiating. Interment and fellowship will follow at Hawthorne Memorial Park Cemetery in Mount Vernon. Visitation will be available Tuesday thru Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM at Lemley Chapel.

Guestbook

  • HAEOLD & JUNE SEDGWICK

    SO SORRY WE COUNDN’T MAKE IT TO YOUR SERVICE. YOUR NOT IN ANY PAIN NOW & UP THERE WITH THE ANGELS REJOCING.
    DUE TO THE WEATHER & HEALTH PROBLEMS WE COUDN’T ATTEND. NOW YOUR RESTING IN PEACE & UP THERE WITH SOME OF YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE. YOUR WORK IS DONE ON THIS OLE EARTH. & YOU HAVE A NEW HEAVENLY HOME. YOU WILL BE MISSED BY YOUR WIFE & YOUR FAMILY , BUT MEMORIES WILL ALWAYS BE THERE WITH THEM. MY GOD COMFORT THE FAMILY IN TIME OF THIS LOST. OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY.
    GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU.
    HAROLD & JUNE SEDGWICK.

  • Joyce Skelton

    Aunt Jean and family,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Uncle Willis for his welcoming smiles and freindly nature. I would run into them at Haggens while I stopped in for a bite to eat and he always was so excited and freindly. Hold on tight to your memories, may God bless your during this time of greif.

    Love Joyce

  • Garrett and Sarah Mills

    Willis was a much-loved grandfather who will be very sadly missed. Fond memories include our road-trip to Nebraska, watching trains pass behind their house, and multiple visits to his beloved Ponderosa to ride on his restored John Deere tractors. We were glad to visit Grandpa Willis and Grandma Jean this past spring for the first time as a married couple. We are sorry that our work and interviews mean we can’t leave the UK to attend the funeral, but out thoughts and prayers will be with everyone in Sedro Wooley.

  • Marilyn and Ed Langdon

    It was such a pleasure to meet Willis and Jean very casually and “by chance” in Haggen’s Cafe and form a very warm friendship soon afterward. Willis was a pleasure to know and he will be missed.