Mr. James H Mills

James Harry “Jimmy” Mills was born on Christmas Day 1932 to Luther Vivian Mills and Ola B. (nee Dogan) Mills at their home in Roanoke, Virginia, the third of five children.

Jimmy often fondly reminisced about his Virginia childhood spent fishing with his dad and his favorite uncle, John, playing in the sandlot at the end of the street with his friends, hiking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with his Boy Scout troop, spooky sleepover dares with his siblings and cousins, and delicious meals prepared by his loving mother who “always had an extra potato to add to the pot” when extended family inevitably showed up at dinnertime.

An excellent student, Jimmy worked for Roanoke’s Stone Printing & Manufacturing Co throughout high school and college to pay for his education. Jim graduated from VPI (Virginia Tech) in 1955 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

On June 12, 1954, Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, the late Barbara Dawn “Bobbie” (nee Assaid) Mills, a beloved educator with an enduring legacy of profound positive impact on countless young students. Jim and Bobbie, devoted partners in life for 66 years, are now eternally reunited.

Upon graduation, Jim and Bobbie headed to Baltimore, MD, where Jimmy had accepted a job with Kaiser Aluminum. Positions at Martin Marietta and Fairchild Hiller followed over the course of the next decade. Jim joined Westinghouse Avionics in 1967 where he would come to lead their global government and military contract negotiations, taking greatest pride in their successful Pave Spike and F-16 programs.

After 25 years of international business travel, Jim retired to enjoy exploring the back roads, scenic byways and historic sites of the United States of America with his sweetheart. Avid bird-watchers from their earliest days together, this patriotic pair had such fun planning their routes, almost always finding ways to include stops to visit their beloved children and grandchildren.

Jim and Bobbie adored their growing family. This was reflected in their steadfast love, commitment and involvement in the lives of their children and their great recognition of the unique personalities and gifts of their individual grandchildren. They delighted in every one and showered love on all.

Jim was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Barbara “Bobbie” (nee Assaid) Mills; his dear father and mother, Luther V. Mills and Ola B. (nee Dogan) Mills and siblings, Joyce Mills Wall, Paul R. Mills, Shirley Mills Williams, grandson, James K. Weigle and great grand-daughter, Ellery Weigle.

Jim is survived by his treasured children, Nancy E. ("Betsy") Mills Weigle Giannotti and her husband, Bobby, of York, PA; Laura V. Mills Gifford and her husband, John, of Glenville, PA; Eric J. Mills and his wife, Harriet, of Cordova, MD; and Amy D. Mills Chapman and her husband, Chris, of Southlake, TX; adored grandchildren, Eric Weigle (Sarah), Emily Mills Wolf (Tyler) and Evelyn Mills, JT (Kelsey), Harry, Mac, Grace, Ruby and Georgia Chapman and great grandchildren, Addy and Lane Weigle and Bennett Weigle; dear brother, Jon Gary Mills and his wife, Lynn; precious nephews, nieces and cousins.

It was Jim’s wish that if any would like to make memorial donations to honor his wife, Bobbie’s, legacy that they be directed to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting literacy program for children from birth to five years. https:// www.imaginationlibraryravallicounty.com/donate

It is Jim’s children’s wish that if any would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Jim, that they be directed to Silverado Southlake Memory Care Community with the memo field “Associate Holiday Fund.” We are forever grateful for the loving, compassionate care that our father received from these remarkable staff members, caregivers and nurses who fell in love with his dry wit and southern charm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Mills family.