Archie Lloyd Mills

Funeral services for Archie Lloyd Mills (U.S. Navy Retired LCDR), 99, Lawrence will be held 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. He passed away Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community.

Archie was born July 14, 1914 in Brentwood, Arkansas and moved to Lawrence with his family in 1919. Archie was a career Navy Pilot and was assigned to PBY-5 rescue planes. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for sending the first torpedo into a huge Japanese transport in the first attack of the Battle of Midway. He was also awarded the Medal for a successful night bombing mission against a Japanese air base in the South Pacific.

Upon retirement, Archie worked with his brother, Lawrence, at Securities Investment Co. He dedicated many hours to the University of Kansas Relays.

Archie is preceded in death by his first wife, Violet McKone Mills, brother, Lawrence Mills, son, Patrick “Skeeter” Mills and wife, Cathy Anderson Mills.

Survivors include Rex and Marguerite Mills of Morton, IL, Marc Mills of Gilberts, IL, Julie and husband, David Sprague of Salem, NH, Pam Scott of Phoenix, AZ, Stuart and Roger Mills of Lawrence, Mike Mills of Overland Park, Suzanne Mills of Lawrence, Vicki Cathey and husband, Steve of Casper, Wyoming and Doug Anderson and wife, Brenda of Belton, MO. Archie also has seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Archie will be missed so much by family, friends and staff at Pioneer Ridge. The family wishes to thank Douglas County Visiting Nurses Hospice.

The family will greet friends from 5 – 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 16, 2013 at Warren McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to Douglas County Visiting Nurse Hospice and may be sent in care of the Mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.