Willie Mills

June 26, 2016

Willie "Billie" Chappell Sewell Mills (Mimi) died peacefully at her home on June 26, 2016 in Midland, Texas at the age of 96. Billie was born on May 12, 1920 in Lakeview, Texas to Valora Chappell and Thomas Chappell. She graduated from Tahoka High School in 1937. After high school graduation, she started at Draughon's Business College in Lubbock. In 1940, she was offered a civil service appointment in Ropesville, Texas where she was an office Clerk for Ropesville Farms Project until 1943. In 1943, she traveled to California to work for Rohr Aircraft Payroll Department, where she worked for a few months until her mother became ill. When she returned home to Texas she worked as a Work Order Clerk for the Air Installation office at South Plains Army Air Field until the base was closed in 1947. In later years, she worked various jobs to help support her family until Billie and her husband M.D. opened up D-Jax Corporation in Midland in 1972. She married her first husband, Harold Sewell, in 1941 while he was on leave from the National Guard. They were only married one month before he was shipped out to Australia during World War II. Harold was aboard a Japanese Prison Ship as a POW which sank in November 1944 resulting in his death. In 1947, Billie met M.D. Mills and, in August 19, 1950, they were married in Clovis, New Mexico. They lived in Midkiff, Texas at the Amerada Camp while M.D. worked for Amerada Petroleum Co. in 1952. There they raised their three children until moving to Midland in 1962. In September of 1972, Billie and M.D. started their own business D-Jax Corporation. Billie retired as the office manager in 2000. Billie and M.D. would then enjoy retirement traveling around the country visiting all 50 states. Billie was a current member of the local Colonel Theunis Day DAR Chapter, Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post 7208, Eastern Star, and was a lifetime member of the Texas PTA. Billie also enjoyed her retirement with her seven "grangirls" and 11 great-grandchildren. She will be missed by many, but her memory will live on with each member of her family. Billie is survived by her children, Marshal Mills and wife Sandy Mills of Toone, Tennessee, Joe Mills and wife Dianne Mills of Midland, and Kathy Whitaker and husband Wayne Whitaker of Midland; seven "grangirls" Stephanie Strickland and husband Todd Strickland of Midland, Jaime White and husband Andy White of Granbury, Texas, Ashlee Smith and husband Brian Smith of Bolivar, Tennessee, Heather Whitaker of Midland, Roni Manley and husband Michael Manley of Midland, Lyndsay Mills of The Colony, Texas, and Briana Welch and husband Lance Welch of Midland; and by 11 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, M.D. Mills; her mother, Valora Hamilton Morris; her father, Thomas Chappell; and by her brothers, Clyde Chappell, Colbert Chappell, and Jack Morris. Pallbearers will be Andy White, Todd Strickland, Michael Manley, Lance Welch, Kenneth Whitaker, and Bobby Whisman. Visitation will be held Friday, July 1, 2016, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel, 3800 North Big Spring Street, Midland. Graveside services will be held at Serenity Memorial Gardens, 6800 TX-349, Midland. Robert Frazier will officiate the ceremony. A reception will follow at 2808 Delano, Midland, TX 79703. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org, or Alzheimer's Association at M.ALZ.ORG. The family would like to thank Home Hospice, Home Hospice nurses, aides, and Corinna for their care and dedication to our Mom and MIMI. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.