Obituary - Chief William J. Mills, (Retired)
21-Jul-2009 | | | It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Chief William J. Mills, (Retired)
William J. Mills, 84, retired Chief of the Thompsonville Fire Department, and beloved husband of Marie A. (O’Brien) Mills of 59 years, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at his home in Thompsonville surrounded by his loving family. Chief Mills, loving son of the late Charles E. and Eileen (Crombie) Mills, was born in Springfield, MA, and was a lifetime resident of the Enfield. Bill was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and proudly served his country during World War II. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 Stars, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal. After the war Bill was a school bus driver, manager of Smyth Farm Dairy, and a member of the Enfield Police Department before joining the Thompsonville Fire Department in 1958. Devoted to his firefighting career until his retirement in 1979, Bill was appointed Chief of the department in 1973. Bill was a founding member of the Enfield Fire Chiefs Association and was a member of the Connecticut and New England Chiefs Association. He was a communicant of St. Patrick Church, a long time member of the Enfield Democratic Town Committee, a member of VFW Post 1501, American Legion Post 80, AMVETS, Knights of Columbus Washington Irving Council No. 50, and D.A.V. Bill derived great enjoyment from working most of his life and cherished the time he spent with his family. Besides his wife, Marie, Bill is survived by his loving children William M. Mills and his wife Kathy; former Chief of the Thompsonville Fire Department, Michael Mills and his wife, Pamela; Geary E. Mills and his wife, Melissa, all of Enfield; his three grandchildren, Michael, Colleen, and Matthew; his great granddaughter, Jordan; his brothers, Charles E. Mills, Jr., of Enfield, and Donald G. Mills and his wife, Pam, of Randolph, VT; and his sister, Marilyn Lazzari, of Hope Sound, FL. Bill was predeceased by two sisters, Barbara Lukeman and Eileen Cave. Family and friends will gather for Bill’s funeral, with fireman and military honors, at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road on Friday, July 24, 2009, by 10:00 a.m. for a procession to St. Patrick Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Patrick King Street Cemetery. Chief Mills’ family will receive relatives and friends at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, on Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Leete-Stevens. To leave a message of sympathy or for directions please visit www.leetestevens.com
|
|
