Donald B. Mills

Donald B. Mills, 85, of Evansville, passed away Friday, July 19, 2013, at St. Mary's Medical Center after a stroke. He was born July 24, 1927, in Owensboro, KY and grew up in Albion, IL. From a young age, Donald had a passion for airplanes. He took flying lessons while still in high school. He enlisted in the Army-Air Corps in 1944. He served in World War II and stayed in the U.S. Air Force Reserves until 1963. Following World War II, he attended the University of Illinois on the G.I. Bill, majoring in political science. He became an engineer and draftsman, later working at Whirlpool Corporation in Evansville. From 1970 to 1987 he was director of operations at the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility. He also served in leadership positions with the American Water Works Association and taught drafting through an Ivy Tech program. Following retirement, he worked as a consultant on water and sewer projects in the Evansville area. Donald, known to many as “Sam” loved golf, flying, boating and target shooting. With a friend he built a GN-1 Aircamper plane. He also read voraciously, everything from the history of aviation to fiberglass boat construction manuals to historical novels. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Helen Bennett Mills; and his brother, David C. Mills. Donald is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Mills; son-in-law, Peter LoPilato; and grandchildren, Ben and Nora, all of Bloomington, IN. Services will be 4:00 PM Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road, Evansville. Burial will be at a later date in Marion National Cemetery for veterans in Marion, IN. Friends may visit Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the funeral home. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.