Mr. Blanton Winship Mills

Blanton Winship Mills, 92, passed away March 14, 2016 at his residence. He was the son of the late Charles Mills and Claire Wetherbee. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. The Very Reverend Lee Lowery will officiate. Blanton was born December 18, 1923 in Griffin, Georgia. He was a graduate of Baylor Prep School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was trained as a B-29 aircraft navigator. While stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, he met his future wife, Louise Hoban, to whom he was married for 62 years. He then served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Pacific Theater in World War II, serving on the island of Tinian and other islands. After the war, he married and enrolled in the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1946. He moved to Albany, Georgia in 1952 where he settled permanently. Mr. Mills went to work at Flint River Cotton Mill, serving as Secretary-Treasurer until his retirement in 1978. He then went on to acquire rental properties, including the Willows Apartments, Nottingham and Nottingham North Apartments, and Village Apartments, among others. He was a past director of First State Bank and Trust, chairing the trust committee for many years. He was a member of Doublegate Country Club and Stonebridge Country Club. He was also an active member of the YMCA of Albany, where he exercised daily until the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise H. Mills, and a brother, Wallace Mills. Survivors include two daughters: Peggy Mills of Albany, Georgia and Debbie Cothren (Randy), of Bainbridge, Georgia; a son: Reid Mills (Mary) of Albany, Georgia. Grandchildren are: Rebecca Fishback, Rachael Thompson, Pamela Ferrera, Michael Cothren, Mark Cothren, Claire Mills, and Richard Mills. He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 17, 2016 from 5-7 PM at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 212 N. Jefferson St., Albany, GA 31701.

Mr. Blanton Winship Mills

December 18, 1923 - March 14, 2016