William Franklin Mills, 68, passed away peacefully at his home on October 10, 2013 surrounded by his wife and family. He was born to the late George and Thelma Mills in West Palm Beach on February 16, 1945 . Bill graduated from Belle Glade High School in 1963 and attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama on a football scholarship graduating in 1967. He married Julie Anne Abel.

Bill served proudly as an officer in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969. He was honorably discharged as a decorated officer. Bill earned a Silver Star for his gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force. The Gallantry Cross with Silver Star was awarded to him by the government of the Republic of Vietnam. He was presented with The Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. He was also recognized for heroism in ground combat and awarded The Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.

Bill worked at A. Duda & Sons in Belle Glade, Florida. He retired in 2010. He loved reading books, fishing and sports. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Julie, and they took many trips across the United States. His greatest pleasure in life was spending time with his loved ones. He was a man of deep faith, and he will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Bill is survived by three children: Jamie Hawkins, husband Tommy, of Americus, Georgia; William Jason, wife Jamie, of Wellington, Florida; and Jenifer Minasian, husband Blaine, of Lake Park, Florida. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Hudson, Haley and Houston Hawkins; Hollianne, Saydee and Jonathan Mills; and Lyric Minasian. His sister, JimmieLeigh Perry, husband Dale, also survive him along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two sisters, Rene Lee and Georgianna Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to:
Hospice of Palm Beach County
5300 East Avenue
West Palm Beach, Florida 33407

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 10:30am at Palm Beach National Chapel, 10055 Heritage Farms Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33449 with a service following at 11:30am. Burial will be at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 South State Road 7, Lake Worth, Florida 33449 at 12:45pm.