Mr. William “Bill” Mills, 86, of Quinby, passed away peacefully Monday evening, Dec. 6, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.
Born to William and Louise Mills, of Wall Township, N.J., in 1935, Bill was the second eldest of siblings Albert, Mary Louise, Richard, James, and Judith. He graduated from Manasquan High School in 1953 and joined the Marines, where he was stationed in Japan. When Bill returned home to New Jersey, he became a brick mason by trade.
In 1972, Bill married the love of his life, Althea. In 1980, Bill, Althea, and their five children moved to the Eastern Shore, where he pursued his lifelong passion for fishing and became a waterman. He affectionately became known as “Jersey Bill” to his friends. Four years later, Bill and Althea welcomed their sixth and final child, thus completing their big, loud, chaotic, and relentlessly devoted family (at least until the grandkids came along).
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Albert, Richard, and Judith.
He is survived by his wife, Althea Mills, of Quinby; children, Hazel VonHollen, of Hampton, (and children, Bobbi Jo, Jessica, Thomas, and Ariel), Nicholas VonHollen and wife, Robin, of Exmore, (and children, JR and Nikki), Beverly Patterson and husband, Brian, of Virginia Beach, (and children, Elise, Donald, and Zachary), Julie Mills and husband, Thomas, of Quinby, (and children, Joshua T. and Jacob), Joshua W. Mills, of Quinby, (and children Aubree and Joshua Junior), and Louise Wessels and husband, Todd, of Hampton, (and children, Noah, William, and Ellie); as well as ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings, James Buchannan Mills, of California, and Mary Louise Mills, of Wall Township, N.J.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, Dec. 11, at noon, at the Quinby Harbor.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
