Ernie Layne Mills, age 85, died in Sugar Land, Texas on August 20, 2024. Born in Texas on October 26, 1938, he graduated from Galena Park High School and attended Rice University where he played basketball. In the early 1960s, he served in the US Coast Guard in Northern California and played drums in the Coast Guard band. He worked as a steel and metals salesman for Jorgensen, Metals and Tubes, Whittaker Metals, Vincent Metals, and others. Ernie’s hobbies and interests included golf, fishing, playing drums, music (especially jazz), movies, and classic cars. Quite the character who could tell a hell of a story, Ernie had a wonderful laugh and a fondness for Tab.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Harriet Bourque Mills; parents Henry Mills and Mable Williams Mills; and siblings Syble, Fordie, and Maxine. He is survived by his nephew Todd Bourque (Ronlyn Domingue); sisters-in-law Linda Bourque and Catherine Tauzin; and close family friends Amy and Tom Ryan and their children.
His ashes will be interred at Broussard, LA's Sacred Heart Cemetery in a private ceremony.