Deacon Walter Mills

Walter Mills was born September 6, 1943 in Asheville, North Carolina, and departed his life on August 7, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Ulysses Mills, Sr. and the late Nan Eva Turner Mills. Walter was an Alumni of Stephens Lee High School and served in the United States Army in the Vietnam War from 1966 - 1967 with an honorable discharge. Walter loved the game of golf, where he won numerous tournaments. He enjoyed playing with his brothers nearly every weekend. Walter was an artist and loved to draw and paint. Walter was very meticulous about his cars. Every Saturday morning, you could find him outside detailing his car. He cleaned them so well, you could see your face in his cars. Walter was a dedicated Deacon of Arden Trinity F.B.H in Arden, North Carolina, New Zion F.B.H of Greenville, South Carolina., and until his death, a Deacon of Friendship Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina. He loved the Lord and would tell everyone he came in contact with about the goodness of God. Some of his favorite songs were "Got Another Yes Lord" and "Wipe All These Tears Away". In addition to his parents, Walter is preceded in death by his beloved spouse, Mrs. Joyce Cannon Mills, and later by his beloved spouse, Mrs. Ruby Mae Fanning-Mills; his brothers, Charles Mills (Lois), Jimmy Mills (Betty), Kenny Mills (Janice), Ulysses Mills, Jr. and sisters, Carolyn Mills Collington (Lenoard) and Eulastine Smith. Left to cherish his memories are his son Gerard T Mills, sister, Joanne Mills (James) Shade; sister-in-law, Patrina Tollison Mills both of Asheville, NC; granddaughters, Akira Byrd of Maulin, SC and Azaria Mills of Greenville, SC; great grandchildren, Raelynn Byrd, Allaysia Byrd, Akil Byrd, Arielle Byrd, and Noelani Mills; stepsons, Jerome Fanning of Columbia, SC, Steven and Charles Fanning of San Diego, CA, Chris Fanning of Minnesota; a stepdaughter, Sharonda Fanning of San Diego, CA and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 14, 2023 at Friendship Baptist Church, 1237 House Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29204. Pastor A. A. Dicks, Sr., officiating. Interment to follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Mr. Mills will lie in-state one hour prior to the service. Public viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 13, 2023 at the Funeral Home. Like our Facebook page: A. A. Dicks Funeral Home - Sullivan Chapel Add our Facebook Friend Page and leave a comment: A. A. Dicks FH

Deacon Walter Mills

September 6, 1943 - August 7, 2023