Courtney Dale Mills

August 7, 1927 - June 17, 2011
Courtney Dale Mills

Memorial Gifts & Donations




Courtney Dale Mills of Wilmington and formerly, Los Angeles, California went to be with the Lord on June 17, 2011 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter.

He was born in Lincoln Nebraska, August 7, 1927 to Clarence Mills and Violet (Bogel) Mills. He graduated from Los Angeles Polytechnic High School in 1944, immediately entering the United States Marine Corps. After World War II ended, he attended Pepperdine College where he met and married the mother of his six children, Doris Axelson.

Courtney retired from General Services Administration with the Federal Government in 1982. He moved to Wilmington in 2001 to be near his children and grandchildren. His main hobby was photography and videography. He enjoyed the fellowship with his second family at Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church. He never met a stranger and was a natural encourager.

Courtney is survived by six children- Dale G. Mills and wife Donna of Ayden; Christine Mills Turner and husband Craig of Wilmington; Sharon Mills Young and husband Paul of San Antonio, TX; Rebecca Mills Dunlop and husband Bill of West End; Lloyd A. Mills Boggs and wife Rita of Raleigh; and Jennifer Mills Kirby of Clayton.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren Thea Mills Johnson of Winterville; Willard R. Dunlop III of Raleigh; Michael H. Turner of Wilmington; Christine Dunlop Boles and husband David of Ellerbee; Carl A. Boggs and wife Kristen of Chantilly, Virginia; Jason D. Mills of Havelock; Jonathan L. Dunlop of West End; Joshua Adam Dunlop of West End; and Heather Ollie Young of Los Angeles, California. Courtney had five great- granddaughters Emmaline Grace Dunlop, Taylor Monroe Boles, and Susan Elizabeth Boles of Ellerbee; as well as Reagan Grace Boggs and Kennedy Honor Boggs of Chantilly, Virginia.

A Memorial Service will be held at Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church on Monday June 27, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church before the service at 3:00 p.m.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice , 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401 – online at www.hospiceandlifecarecenter.org. ; Or Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church, 601 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480.

Courtney’s family wishes to express love and appreciation to the Azalea Hall nurses as well as the entire staff at The Commons at Brightmore. In addition, they extend a special thank you to Dr. William H. Jones and staff at Wrightsville Family Practice; and Dr. William McNulty, Hematology and Oncology and staff. The family also desires to express deep gratitude and recognition to the staff at Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st St., Wilmington,NC 28403, 910.791.9099


Purchase Flowers

Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory



Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  • June 19, 2011
    clarence & sharrie brown says:
    We are deeply sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you during this time.

  • June 19, 2011
    Sherry & Robert Witchey says:
    Jenny & Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss Papa has gone on & we all know what we have to do to see him again. My love & prayers are with you all during this time & in the days to come.

  • June 19, 2011
    Mike and Marilyn Phillipps says:
    Craig and Chris, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your dad was a man of influence in so many lives. We know he is now celebrating in his heavenly home, rejoicing with his beloved Savior. May the Holy Spirit comfort you in this hour as only He can do. It is hard to say good-bye even as we rejoice for him.

  • June 19, 2011
    Mike and Marilyn Phillipps says:
    Michael, You were there for your grandpa until the very end. We know he loved you and must have been so proud of the way you blessed him. What a wonderful gift you gave him!

  • June 22, 2011
    Brad Updegrove says:
    I was saddened to hear about Courtney's passing. I met him at Gold's Gym in Porter's Neck about two years ago and always looked forward to chatting with him there. He had a wonderful sense of humor, which I shall dearly miss. I would like to attend the Memorial Service for him, but may not be able to attend due to another commitment. I will definitely be there in spirit.