Mills, Nelson Alvin
Nelson Alvin Mills, 86, passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at his home in Fairlawn after a long battle with cancer. Born June 5, 1926 to Frank Lee Mills and Virgie Burke Mills, he was the oldest of 8 children.
Nelson was a skilled sheet metal worker for 33 years at the Hercules Sheet Metal Shop at The Radford Army Ammunition Plant. A proud veteran of World War II, he served in the 82nd Army Airborne division as a paratrooper. He later served as Commander of the Radford VFW Post #776 and was a member of the VA MAY Lodge #38 AF & AM, Radford. He loved bluegrass music, played many instruments, and enjoyed square-dancing at the Radford VFW Hall in his younger years.
He was preceded in death by sisters Carolyn Mills and Helen Mills Pritchett. He is survived by his loving wife and caregiver of 61 years Helen Nunley Mills; sons Alan Mills and Steve Mills, both of Texas, and Nathan Mills and wife Debra of Snowville; daughter Julie L. Mills and her partner Daryl Warf of Dublin; brothers Clarence Mills of Fairlawn, and Jesse Mills of Salem; sisters Kathleen Viers and husband Jack and Marjorie Keister, both of Fairlawn, and Barbara Dudley and husband Larry of Salem. His grandchildren will be serving as pallbearers, given the honor of carrying him for his last journey: David Mills, TX, Lisa Harless and husband Marvin, Pulaski, Leslie Grubb and husband Matt, Floyd, and Matthew Mills, Snowville. In addition are grandchildren Diane Lee and husband Richard, TX, Lora Mills, Pulaski, Megan Mills, TX; 2 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Carilion Hospice and Chris Lentz, P.A. at the Salem VAMC for the care and kindness shown to Nelson and family.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 8, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford with Rev. Everette Shepherd and Russell Gordon officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens where VFW Post #776 will conduct military graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Carilion Hospice, 707 Randolph St., Suite 251, Radford, VA 24141 or VFW Post #776, c/o Gary Harris, 402 9th Street, Radford, VA 24141.
The Mills family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, Virginia.