Noel L. Mills

Noel L. Mills was born January 18, 1929 in Heart, Arkansas to James and Ella (Mooney) Mills. He departed this life on March 16, 2023, at his home in Mammoth Spring at the age of 94. He was united in marriage on August 5, 1959, to Willa Faye Stroud and to this union four children were born.

Noel proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1951-1953 and was part of Operation Buster Jangles, a nuclear bomb test in the Nevada desert. He was a man of many talents. He worked hard all of his life and was a wonderful provider for his family. He retired from the Suburban Improvement District of Cherokee Village as the maintenance supervisor after over 30 years of service. He was a farmer and enjoyed life on the farm. He was an avid gardener and loved to share his harvest with his family and friends. He was a musician, teaching himself how to play by ear. He played the mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and guitar. He loved playing music with his friends from the Heart and Saddle area and at church. He loved to watch a good ballgame and enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play sports. He also loved the Arkansas Razorbacks. On Friday nights, you could always find him watching a boxing match. His greatest joy was his wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He loved to laugh and joke and always had a smile to share with others. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Mammoth Spring and attended as long as his health allowed. He was the best Husband, Dad and Papa and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Willa Faye Mills of the home; four children: Shelia Young of Mammoth Spring, AR, Charlene Riley and husband Rick of Thayer, MO, Jim Mills of Mammoth Spring, AR, and Tammy Jones and husband Chris of Mammoth Spring, AR. Six grandchildren: Clint Young, Luke Young, Sara Busch and husband Gage, Amy Turnbough and husband Nick, Taylor Mills and wife April, and Emily Pyland and husband Evan. Seven great grandchildren: Callie Jo and Cody Young, Judson and Quinn Busch, and Ella, Addy, and Ash Turnbough; one sister-in-law, Mary Faith Harmon and one brother-in-law, Dale McCord along with many other family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Novalene Mills, Carolyn Mills,   Leveda McCord, Claudette Mills, and Colene Faye Mills; his brothers, Eldon Mills, Oral Mills, and Doyle Mills; and one son-in-law, Harry Young.

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 6 pm – 8pm at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel – Thayer, Missouri.

Services will be on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 2 pm at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel – Thayer, Missouri.

Internment will be at the Burks Chapel Cemetery of Camp, Arkansas on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Burk Chapel Cemetery of Camp, In care of Betty Benton, 3857 Squirrel Hill Road, Glencoe, Arkansas, 72539