William F Mills

A loving man like no other A loving husband, parent, grandparent, and brother A man with strong beliefs and tough love A Veteran to serve our country, watches from above A man that finally reaches home No more pain or suffering and not a moment alone Reaches Heaven with many left with his love And we may pray we see him in that wonderful place above. William Francis “French” Mills, 65, of Ghent, formerly of Soak Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 23, 2015, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born December 23, 1949, in Soak Creek, he was the son of the late Lundy and Peggy Milam Mills. French was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving proudly during the Vietnam War. After his service to his country he returned to the coalfields of Southern West Virginia where he worked as coalminer in the mines of Amigo and Maple Meadows Coal Company. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and just being outdoors. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by Three brothers Clifton “Buster” Mills, Clyde Keith Mills, and Eugene Mills; his mother-in-law Sarah Lucille Mills. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Debra Lynn Mills, his son Shawn Mills, Three daughters Shana Benehaley, Angie Keeney, and Tori Johnson. Seven Grandchildren Patrick and Jacob Young, Cameron and Colton Benehaley, Dakota and Alicia Farmer, and Morgan Johnson. Four Brothers: Oley Mills, Roscoe Mills, Roger Mills, and Gary Flowers, Four Sisters: Myrtle Basham, Betty Lee, Ruby Rupe, and Thelma Mullens, and a host of nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. Services celebrating the life of French Mills will be held Monday, July 27, 2015, at 1 p.m. in the Soak Creek Gospel Tabernacle, Soak Creek, with the Rev. Hobert Mills, and Rev. Gary Mills officiating. Following the service French will be given full military honors and laid to rest in the Mills family cemetery, Soak Creek. Gary Flowers, Josh Mills, Glen Haga, Donna Raye Haga, Butch Mills, David Mills, Link Mills, and Mathew Keeney will honor French by serving as his pallbearers. A time of gathering for friends and family will be held Sunday evening from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home in Sophia. Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com Arrangements are in the care of Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, WV.