Irvin Mills

Irvin Mills 89 years old, passed away at Columbus Regional Health Care System on September 3, 2021.

Irvin was born on Oct. 20, 1931 in Bolton N.C. to late Aldolphus “Dock” and Nora Mills. Irvin served honorably in in the US Military for over 20. He retired from the United States Air Force. During his active duty he was a decorated war hero, serving in the Korean War where he received many medals of distinction and was awarded a Purple Heart. While in the military, he and his wife Helen, enjoyed traveling across the United States and in England

Upon retiring from the Air Force, he returned home to Delco, N.C to raise his family. He had a successful career at International Paper Company and was an active farmer. Irvin had a strong appreciation of learning having completed his Associate Degree from Southeastern Community College.

Irvin was a life member of Red Hill Pentecostal Church. He loved attending services and celebrating with church friends and neighbors. Irvin had a strong faith in God and excellent moral compass that he used to guide him throughout his life. Over the course of his life, he spent countless hours encouraging and uplifting those around him. He will long be remembered for the strong values he poured into others. He was a lover of all types of athletics especially enjoying outdoor sports. He played high school athletics as well as athletics in the military. He also played chess competitively in the military and enjoyed countless hours playing and teaching the game to friends and family members. He was a lifelong member of the Malpass Town Hunting Club where he enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow club members as much as the actual hunting. He was well known in the club for the well-trained hunting dogs he had and how they were trained to respond to his truck horn. However, his most enjoyable past time of all was spending time with family especially his grandchildren.
Irvin and Helen worked as a team. They shared a deep abiding love that is evidenced in how they raised their children and worked to create the family farm. Irvin never clipped Helen’s wings and always allowed her to do what made her happy. He was blessed to be with her through the last years of his life where she took tremendous care of him. They always knew they could depend on each other. She was there when he took his last breath. Irvin and Helen were most appreciative of the Acme Delco Riegelwood Rescue Squad. The squad members were always most responsive when needed during the last years of Irvin’s life.

He is survived by his wife Helen Malpass Mills of the home and his three daughters Kimberly Mills Willis and Dr. Kerry Will
is of Davis, N.C, Beverly Ann Mills Jones and (Lt. Retired) Bronnie (B.J) Jones Jr. of Smyrna, N.C, and Eugenia Mills Long and Adam Long of Lake Waccamaw, N.C. He has five grandchildren Samuel Willis (Lindsey Willis), Benjamin Willis (Beth Willis), Andrew Jones (Christy Jones), AnnaAlease Gore, and RandiLee Gore. He has four great grandchildren Bailey Willis, Brooke Willis, Rhett Willis, and Grayson Jones.

In addition to his parents, he is proceeded in death by his brothers: Jasper Mills, Doc Mills, James Mills, Earnest Mills, Harry Mills, Frank Mills, Charlie Mills, Tylon Mills, and his sisters: Ruth Mills Owens, Mary Mills DeRenzo, and Jeannie Mills Wood His one remaining sibling is Annie Mills Kubitz of Virginia.

Funeral services will be held at Red Hill Pentecostal Church Delco, N.C with the Pastor T. Calvin Malpass officiating and burial in Arlington Cemetery, Virginia. The visitation will be at Red Hill Monday 6 to 8 P.M. funeral services Tuesday at 11 A.M. Family and friends are welcome at the home.

Burial services will be held 1 pm Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

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

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