Everett Leon Bills Jr.

(Ret.) Lt. Col. Everett Leon Bills Jr. was born in Sparta, TN (White County) on September 23, 1932 to Everett L Bills Sr. and Mattie Shockley Blount. He attended the county elementary school in Sparta and Mather Academy in Camden, South Carolina. He graduated from there in May 1950. He attended and graduated from Hampton Institute, Hampton VA, with a BS in Vocational Education. He was commissioned in the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in Anti Aircraft Artillery ( AAA ) in May 1955. During the next 20 years he served on active duty. He married his college sweetheart W. Jane Johnson before reporting to active duty in 1955.

In July 1955, 2nd Lt. Bills was ordered to active duty and assigned to Ft. Bliss, TX to attend the Officers Basic Course. After graduation in November 1955, 2nd Lt. Bills was assigned to the 50th AAA Batallion (AW) (SP), 8th Army Korea as a Platoon leader. In March 1957, now 1st Lt. Bills returned to the US and was assigned to the 79th Missile Batallion in Gary, IN as a Fire Control Platoon Leader. In August 1959, 1st Lt. Bills was reassigned to Dallas/Ft. Worth Air Defense Batallion as Battery Executive Officer at Ft. Walters, Mineral Wells, TX.

After being promoted to Captain in March 1961, Capt. Bills was assigned to Ft Bliss, TX. In January 1962, he attended the Officers Advance Course. Upon completion of the course in May 1962, Capt. Bills was assigned Commander of the newly activated 42nd USA Artillery Detachment. After training and certification, the detachment deployed to Germany in December 1962. After a very successful command tour, Capt. Bills returned to Ft. Bliss, TX. In November 1965, Capt. Bills was promoted to Major.

In December 1965, Maj. Bills was assigned as Executive of the newly activated 3rd Batallion, 362nd Artillery AW/SP. In October 1966, Maj. Bills was reassigned to Ft. Bragg, NC to attend the Psychological Warfare course. Then in December 1966, Maj. Bills was assigned to the US Military Assistance Command in Vietnam. During this assignment, Maj. Bills was awarded the Bronze Star Metal in November 1967. In addition, in December 1967, Maj. Bills was awarded the Air Metal. Maj. Bills returned to Ft. Bliss in January 1968 and was assigned to the Nike Hercules training battalion as Executive Officer. He remained there until July 1969 when he was promoted to Lt. Col. and assigned to Officer of the Inspector General at Ft. Bliss. Upon departure in May 1971, Lt. Col. Bills was assigned to the 8th Army HQ in Korea as 8th Army G3 Air 8th Army Liason Officer to the Commander of the Air Force Korea. Lt. Col. Bills was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with two (2) oak leaves, and a Letter of Appreciation from the Commanding General 1st ROK Army.

After returning to the States in July 1973, Lt. Col. Bills was assigned to the US Army Air Defense Command as Inspector General for the next two years. Lt. Col. Bills was reassigned to White Sands Missile Range in August 1974 as Chief of the Naval and Welfare Branch. Lt. Col. Bills retired from active duty on July 31, 1975, at White Sands Missle Range and received the Meritorious medal and 3 oak leaves. During his active duty, Lt. Col. completed two (2) tours in Korea, one (1) tour in Germany, and one (1) tour in Vietnam. Lt. Col. Bills was employed by the US Army Civil Service at Ft. Bliss for 13 years.

Three years after retirement Lt. Col. Bills joined Col. Louis A. Carter Post 832 of the American Legion. He served his Post as Finance Officer for 2 years, Adjuntant for 20 years, and Commander for 1 year. Lt. Col. is a proud member of Col. Louis A Carter Post 832. Lt. Col. Bills was also a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He enjoyed traveling with the American Legion to conferences with his wife. They were cross-country road warriors. He was also a member of Hampton Institute Alumnae. When he was not on the road for the American Legion or attending some other meeting, fishing was his greatest pastime.

Lt. Col. Bills was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was always there for his family. He is preceded in death by his father, Everett L Bills Sr, his mother, Mattie Shockley Blount, and his son Darryl Leon Bills and grandson Ezra H. Roy. He leaves to cherish his precious memories his loving wife of 69 years W. Jane Bills, daughter Michelle Bills-Roy (Alvin Roy), son Keith N. Bills, grandchildren LaToya Bills-Maxey, Angelique Bills, Alexandria Bills, Darryl L Bills Jr, great-grandchildren Alexandra Renae Wooten, Christopher Bills, and Alijah Walton, numerous cousins across the country, and many friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 10:00 am-11:00 am and Services from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter, El Paso, TX 79936. Committal service to follow at 1:00 pm at Ft. Bliss National Cemetary, 5200 Fred Wilson, El Paso, TX 79906. The repass will be at Col. Louis A. Carter Post 832 American Legion, 2400 Bassett Ave, El Paso, TX, 79901 beginning at 2:00 pm