John W. Mills, Jr., died on April 5, 2017, in a local hospital. Although he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, his death was caused by pneumonia. He was 88.
John was born in Big Spring, Texas, on December 17, 1928, to John Wellington Mills, Sr., and Ada Gore Mills. They moved to San Angelo when John was three years old, and he lived in San Angelo for the remainder of his life. He graduated from San Angelo High School, San Angelo Junior College, and the University of Texas at Austin.
John worked for 42 years as a civil engineer for the Texas Highway Department, now the Texas Department of Transportation, and was District Design Engineer when he retired. He was a Licensed Professional Engineer, and he renewed his license every year until his death.
He served for 41 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
John enjoyed gardening and restoring old clocks. He also did beautiful woodwork.
He was married for 60 years to Ava Jane Echols Mills, who survives him. Also surviving are daughter, Kathy Mills, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Frank Coleman, of San Angelo; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Heather and John Zafereo, of Aubrey, Texas; grandson, Joshua Coleman, and granddaughter, Sarah Coleman, both of San Angelo; and sister and brother-in-law, Josephine and Denny Conley, of DeMotte, Indiana. He also is survived by three nieces and a nephew.
Special thanks to the doctors and nurses in Shannon Hospital’s ER and ICU.
No public services will be held. Arrangements are by Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way.
Online condolences may be made at www.shafferpioneer.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Wellington Mills Jr., please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
