Bill Mills was a happy man. He could make the best of any situation and he relished his time with friends and family.
“Whenever he went anywhere, to a social event or on a business trip, we’d ask how it went, and he’d always say, ‘We had the best time,’ no matter what,” said his son, Scott Mills, who lives in Mountain Park.
Without missing a beat, his namesake, William E. Mills III, of Atlanta, added, “Dad had a Ph.D. in joy.”
William E. Mills Jr., known as Bill by most, of Sandy Springs, died Thursday after a two-year battle with ALS. He was 78. A memorial service was held Monday at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. He was buried at Georgia National Cemetery prior to the service. H.M. Patterson & Son, Arlington chapel, was in charge of arrangements.
In 1977, Mr. Mills, and his wife, started the William Mills Agency. The business grew from an ad services firm to a public relations and marketing outfit that caters to the financial sector.
At the time of his death, Mr. Mills served as the company’s chairman and was still active in the day-to-day affairs of the business. His wife of 52 years, Eloise B. Mills, is the company’s chief financial officer, William Mills III, is the company’s chief executive and Scott Mills serves as president.
Bill Mills was a master at keeping things uncomplicated, said Kelly Williams, a senior vice president with the firm.
“He was really great at making things, simple, concise and clear,” Mr. Williams said. “He could break things down to the simplest element.”
Mr. Mills sought to give his clients his best, which is also what he wanted for his family and friends.
“He was so honest and helpful,” said F. Woodson “Woody” Briscoe, a longtime friend from Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church.
Mr. Mills was a frequent participant in the Peachtree Road Race and used the annual event to help Mr. Briscoe after a health scare.
“After a heart attack 16 years ago that nearly killed me, he inspired me and helped me to get up and in condition to run the Peachtree Road Race,” Mr. Briscoe said. “And I’ve been in several since. That’s the kind of friend he was.”
Born in Geneva, Ala., and raised near Panama City, Fla., Mr. Mills earned a business degree from Florida State University in 1958. Immediately after graduation, he moved to Atlanta to take a job at Retail Credit Corp., now Equifax. He rose to director of advertising, before he left the company. His career included jobs at the John H. Harland Company, Citizens & Southern National Bank, Sibley, Sheehan & Mills Public Relations and Liller, Neal, Battle and Lindsey, before he opened his own shop.
In addition to his wife and two sons, Mr. Mills is survived by his sister, Joan Sears of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; brothers, Galen McEachin of Panama City, Richard McEachin of Freeport, Fla., Michael McEachin of Panama City, and Joel McEachin of Jacksonville; three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
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