Howard Wesley Mills

Howard Wesley Mills of Mars Hill, North Carolina, passed away at dawn on Wednesday, March 4th after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was sixty-five years old. Known affectionately as Wes to those who loved him, he faced his illness with bravery, and his family remained deeply proud of him throughout.

Born on October 6th, 1960 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Fred and Hazel Mills, Wes spent his boyhood in Charleston, South Carolina. He lived throughout the Southeast before settling in Western North Carolina. A high-school graduate with some college education, he was largely self-taught and possessed a keen mind for technological and mechanical systems. He worked for many years in technology sales and management before transitioning to IT consulting in his later career.

Wes found joy in tinkering, fishing, camping, cooking, travel, music, movies, and watching football. He held a special love for animals and, above all, for his wife and children, who loved him deeply in return. He will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, his gifted storytelling, and his remarkable ability to fix almost anything.

Wes is survived by his wife, Jennifer Mills, his daughter Sarah Gordon, his son Jacob Mills, his daughter Grace Mills, his stepsons James and Spencer Jordan, his dogs Finley and Henry, and his cat Fiona. He was preceded in death by his father Fred, his mother Hazel, his brothers Larry and Robert, his sister Terry Lynn, and his dog Max. A private celebration of life was held for family and friends on March 28th.