William Francis Mills
September 18, 1940 ~ March 4, 2023
Born in:
Buncombe Co., NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
William Francis Mills, 82, of Asheville, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2023.
A native of Buncombe Co., William was a son of the late Woodrow William Mills and Jessie Hyatt Bryson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Barry Mills. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and worked in maintenance at American Enka. He was a member of the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department for 29 years as a fireman, EMT and board member.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Davis Mills; daughters, Sonya M. Helton (Derek) and Stephanie Johnson (Merel); grandchildren, Tyler Helton (Crystal), Corey Johnson, Baley Clements (Josh) and Landon Helton; great-grandchildren, Jackson Helton and William Clements; sisters, Joy Rollins, Linda Russell, Barbara Sircey and Margaret Bowers; several nieces and nephews; and beloved dog, Reggie.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 4:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road.
The family will receive friends following the service.
Services
Memorial Service: March 11, 2023 4:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road
856 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)299-4416
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Sorry to hear about your father and husband praying for the whole family. Bill was a great man.
Mary and family, I am sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I pray God will wrap His mighty arms around you with the peace and comfort only He can give.
We are so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Holding you and all of your family in prayer during this difficult time 💙
I am so so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Prayers for all.
I love you Brother Bill. I’m sure Dad already welcomed you up above. We will miss you
I wish I had the right words, just know we care and are thinking about you all at this very sad time. Prayers for strength as you face the difficult days ahead.
Jim & Amanda Ogle
Mary and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Great memories will be a comfort to you:)
Mary, I am so sorry about Bill’s passing. He was such a sweet spirit and it was easy to see that you and he certainly loved each other dearly. May God’s Peace be with you and your family as you mourn his loss in the days ahead.
Much love,
Mary and family, I’m so sorry to hear about Bill. I have many wonderful memories of us from Biltmore Church. I know you will miss him terribly, but what a wonderful reunion you’ll have in Heaven someday! You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Mary, how I’m going to miss Bill. He was my buddy, my friend. I loved our chats at our volunteer jobs at WNC Bridge (formerly CarePartners). A lot of times while there I would make a special trip to find Bill just to “catch up”. I’ll be holding you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this sad, terribly hard time and in the future.
Love you, Judy
Many hugs & lots of prayers
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a wonderful man, friend and was a wonderful husband and father to his family. He will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. Mary, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bill is now pain free and at peace in God’s loving arms. I know he and Johnny are already remembering and sharing stories about the fire department and the ball field. May God give comfort and peace during this difficult time. Love you all.
Much love, peace, and joy be with you all Larry and Dede
Bill was always so nice to me. I wish I could have gotten to know him better.
My deepest sympathies to Mary and the those who loved him.
He was a very sweet man who loved this family and the Lord!🌹
My heart goes out to you Nary and your daughters. I was blessed to know the both of you and though I know how hard it is to lose those we love, it is only for a while before we see them again. Bill’s love for the Lord and his family will long be remembered🌹
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Such a sweet mile and a delight to be around. We remember the good times at Biltmore with him. You are in our prayers during this difficult time. Chester & Margaret Owenby
Mary and family, my deepest sympathies go out to all of you. May God give you peace and many joyful memories and reflection.
We had a lot of great times. ‘A lot of Memories from Grassy Branch’.
It was always a joy being with you guys. Our Prayers for Strength, Comfort and Peace during this time of Sorrow. Love and Prayers
✝️🙏🙏🙏✝️❤❤❤
Always Ken, Darlene and Kenny Oliver
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all.
My heart aches for your loss, Mary, because I know how close you all were to each other. May the God of All Comfort hold you and your girls close. I had been praying for him and I will certainly be praying for you and your family during these days and the days to come.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. My deepest sympathies go out to you all.
I have a lot of good memories living across the street and at Riceville Fire Department before moving to Alaska. Bill was a wonderful man. I’m glad I got to see him and the family back in February 2020. May God comfort you. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Lee Wolfe
Mary– of the William and Mary partnership – for many years. My deepest sympathies. Bill and I had some nice conversations over the years of our volunteering at the Hospice Thrift Store – I am still checking out the watches for Bonnie. In fact today – Dorothy and I are having lunch with Mary Ann and Ray McMinn – who — as I recall – you worked with Mary Ann – back in the day.
Again – my deepest condolences.
Ron Schmis
Mary, Sonya, Stephanie and Family – Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time. We will miss Bill’s presence at family gatherings as he always had time for a quick chat and good laugh. He will be missed.
Jeff and Cindy Lanier
Sonya,
It is with sadness and difficulty to lose a parent. May Christ comfort you and the famly as only He can.
Mary and family,
Bill and I are praying for all. We have wonderful memories of your family from Riceville, softball and growing up.
Regardless of what life brought his way, Bill was always a blessing to all.
Bill and Irene Wolfe
Mary and Family,
Sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Bill was always a joy to be around. His laughing and joking will be missed by all.
Jean and I will keep all of you in our prayers.
Thinking of you Mary, holding you in my prayers. Tomorrow is another day… it is cloudy rainy and cold today, but your tomorrows will bring you warm sunny days as you will regain the smile you are so much liked for, the smile that opens arms and hearts to anyone.🙏🏿🙏🏿
Mary,Sonya,Stephanie so sorry for your loss .Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Your past neighbors on Lower Grassy Branch.Tammy,Debbie,Marty,Sherry,Jane,Tody.