Obituary for Gregory Eugene "Greg" Mills
After a brave fight with leukemia, Gregory Eugene Mills, 68, left his earthly family to be reunited with the love of his life, his wife Nancy, who left us 15 years ago.
Greg was born November 25, 1952, in Ranson, WV, the fifth child of Wallace “Barney” and Betty Jo Coffman Mills. As his mother walked to the hospital, she was thinking about a name, looked up at the movie marquee and Gregory Peck was the star, problem solved. His middle name was in honor of his Uncle Gene who was serving in the Korean War at the time.
Greg was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Nancy Lorraine Croson Mills and his parents. He is survived by three daughters, Christina M. Mills-Morrison (Alan) of Charles Town, Melissa C. Link (Brian) of Charles Town, and Mary Beth Mills of Ranson and five grandchildren, Emily and Bradley Morrison, Craig and Logan Link, and Christopher Mills. His surviving siblings include Wallace “Wally” Mills (Sissy) of Charles Town, Richard Mills (Kathleen) of Kearneysville, Alvin Mills (Kaye) of Charles Town, Sharon D. Johnston of Leetown, and Rebecca Rubeck (Jeffery) of Gerrardstown. His only living uncle and aunts are Gary Coffman (Debbie) of Charles Town and Beverly and Kay Coffman of Leetown and special friend “Uncle Walt” Smallwood of Charles Town, plus numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Greg graduated with the last class of Charles Town High School in 1972 where he participated in FFA, football, and wrestling. He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was a trustee and helped maintain the lawn until his illness. After graduation he worked in various jobs including construction, the water department, and his last 35+ years with Supertane/Columbia Gas/Amerigas. He retired in 2014 so he could spend more time with his family, especially his grandkids and watching them play sports.
Greg cherished both family and tradition. He was most happy when his family gathered for dinners and celebrations. However, Greg’s all-time favorites were family chicken fries, reunions, and making apple butter. He loved family times especially putting up his 12-foot Christmas tree, never forgetting his Elvis and WVU ornaments. Then gathering with family by hosting a Christmas Eve celebration.
Greg was an organizer and loved to build. He headed up the construction of the family pavilion in Leetown, his Aunt Kay’s tiny bakery, and the front porch on the Hahn family estate that had been waiting to be completed for toooo many years.
Greg loved sports. He enjoyed playing golf or rather “hitting balls” around with his brothers. But slow-pitch softball was his passion until he almost had to crawl around the bases. Watching his beloved Washington Football Team and WVU teams was his joy or despair, depending on their season. Hunting deer was another of Greg’s passions; however, he mostly just sat in the woods soaking in nature as well as the rain and cold. When not pursuing one of his hobbies, he was an active member of the Ranson Park and Playground.
One of Greg’s most endearing qualities was his aversion to change. He only bought a cell phone so his girls could keep track of him and then his flip-phone died, and he was traumatized when he had to upgrade to a smart phone.
Greg’s ready smile and contagious laugh will be missed by family and friends. He will always be remembered for his willingness to help anyone in need.
Visitation will be Friday, October 15 from 6-8 at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Charles Town, WV.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 16, at 2:00 at the same church. Pastor James Riley will be officiating.
Burial will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens, Martinsburg, WV.
Flowers are appreciated; however, donations can be made to the Jefferson County Relay for Life, The Hospice of the Panhandle, and St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 111 S. Seminary St., Charles Town, WV 25414.
Masks are required.
Greg was born November 25, 1952, in Ranson, WV, the fifth child of Wallace “Barney” and Betty Jo Coffman Mills. As his mother walked to the hospital, she was thinking about a name, looked up at the movie marquee and Gregory Peck was the star, problem solved. His middle name was in honor of his Uncle Gene who was serving in the Korean War at the time.
Greg was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Nancy Lorraine Croson Mills and his parents. He is survived by three daughters, Christina M. Mills-Morrison (Alan) of Charles Town, Melissa C. Link (Brian) of Charles Town, and Mary Beth Mills of Ranson and five grandchildren, Emily and Bradley Morrison, Craig and Logan Link, and Christopher Mills. His surviving siblings include Wallace “Wally” Mills (Sissy) of Charles Town, Richard Mills (Kathleen) of Kearneysville, Alvin Mills (Kaye) of Charles Town, Sharon D. Johnston of Leetown, and Rebecca Rubeck (Jeffery) of Gerrardstown. His only living uncle and aunts are Gary Coffman (Debbie) of Charles Town and Beverly and Kay Coffman of Leetown and special friend “Uncle Walt” Smallwood of Charles Town, plus numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Greg graduated with the last class of Charles Town High School in 1972 where he participated in FFA, football, and wrestling. He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was a trustee and helped maintain the lawn until his illness. After graduation he worked in various jobs including construction, the water department, and his last 35+ years with Supertane/Columbia Gas/Amerigas. He retired in 2014 so he could spend more time with his family, especially his grandkids and watching them play sports.
Greg cherished both family and tradition. He was most happy when his family gathered for dinners and celebrations. However, Greg’s all-time favorites were family chicken fries, reunions, and making apple butter. He loved family times especially putting up his 12-foot Christmas tree, never forgetting his Elvis and WVU ornaments. Then gathering with family by hosting a Christmas Eve celebration.
Greg was an organizer and loved to build. He headed up the construction of the family pavilion in Leetown, his Aunt Kay’s tiny bakery, and the front porch on the Hahn family estate that had been waiting to be completed for toooo many years.
Greg loved sports. He enjoyed playing golf or rather “hitting balls” around with his brothers. But slow-pitch softball was his passion until he almost had to crawl around the bases. Watching his beloved Washington Football Team and WVU teams was his joy or despair, depending on their season. Hunting deer was another of Greg’s passions; however, he mostly just sat in the woods soaking in nature as well as the rain and cold. When not pursuing one of his hobbies, he was an active member of the Ranson Park and Playground.
One of Greg’s most endearing qualities was his aversion to change. He only bought a cell phone so his girls could keep track of him and then his flip-phone died, and he was traumatized when he had to upgrade to a smart phone.
Greg’s ready smile and contagious laugh will be missed by family and friends. He will always be remembered for his willingness to help anyone in need.
Visitation will be Friday, October 15 from 6-8 at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Charles Town, WV.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 16, at 2:00 at the same church. Pastor James Riley will be officiating.
Burial will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens, Martinsburg, WV.
Flowers are appreciated; however, donations can be made to the Jefferson County Relay for Life, The Hospice of the Panhandle, and St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 111 S. Seminary St., Charles Town, WV 25414.
Masks are required.