Darrell Lee Mills, 78, a former West Liberty resident who lives in Portland, Texas, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2021.
Services were held Jan. 29 at St. Augustine Church in Brasile, Louisiana, where he was also buried. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or American Parkinson Disease Association. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Ann Mills, at 2118 Westwood Dr, Portland, Texas 78374 or online at Ardoinfuneralhomesunice.com.
Born April 5, 1942 in Muscatine, Darrell Mills was the son of Vivian (Calvert) Mills Wonderlich and Milburn Mike Mills. He married Julianne (Ann) Granger of Basil, Louisiana in 1966 in Fort Eustis Virginia, where he was stationed after basic training.
He spent his early childhood on a farm in rural Atalissa, later moving to West Liberty. During high school, Darrell worked at the former Twin Gables restaurant in West Liberty, operated by his parents, and was an active athlete in baseball, basketball, track, and football. He graduated from WLHS in 1960.
Upon graduating, he immediately enlisted in the Army, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was a proud veteran serving in Vietnam and remained active with the National Guard as a supply director until he retired. He resided in Louisiana most of his life, and retired in Portland, Texas.
Darrell is survived by his wife Julianne (Ann) Mills, as well as his two daughters Cynthia Henderson and Amy Mills, both of Scott, Louisiana; a granddaughter, Meghan Leathem, grandson Spencer Henderson, and great-granddaughter, Bonnie Henderson, all of Dallas, Texas.
Also surviving are two brothers, Sid Mills (Pam) of North Liberty, Van Mills (Dianne) of Pahrump, Nevada, and three sisters Beverly Freyermuth (Paul, deceased) of Muscatine, Cassandra Allan (Wendall) of Yarmouth Iowa, and Christine Schlabach (Duane) of Parnell, Iowa, sister-in-law Debra Mills (Gaylord, deceased), brother-in-law Steve Granger (Debbie), sister-in-law Jessica Denette (Ronnie, deceased), sister-in-law Kay Fontenot (Keith’) and 35 nieces and nephews,
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as a brother, Gaylord Mills, two brothers in law, Paul Freyermuth and Ronnie Denette as well as three nephews, Steven Freyermuth, Calvin Holloway, Jeffery Schlabach.