Cecil Muriel Mills

Cecil Muriel Mills, 89, passed away on January 16, 2021 in Benton, Louisiana. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on January 22, 2021 at Forest Park East with Pastor Tommy Patton officiating. Cecil was born to John and Ester Williams Mills in Baytown, Texas on February 13, 1931. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and was assigned to the Royal Air Force Burtonwood in Cheshire, England. In 1955, he married professional ballet dancer Marion Sylvia Rogers of Widnes, England. Mills served at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, McCord Air Force Base in Washington, Torrejon Air Force Base in Madrid, Spain and Laredo Air Force Base in Texas. While on a tour of duty in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star for leading his non-combat communications unit to safety during an attack on the base. After military retirement, he worked as a manager for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, later becoming a regional manager for 23 parish offices. Mills served veterans in various capacities as Commander of a local branch of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was married 61 years to Marion before she passed in 2016. They were members of Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, Louisiana. Cecil is preceded in death by his son, Michael and wife, Marion and his daughter, Belinda. He is survived by his children; Jack Mills and wife, Sharon, Cathy Lash and husband, Mike and Celia Mills; grandchildren, Dustin Mills and wife, Keri, Danielle Fish and husband, Stephen, Christa Proveaux and husband, Adam, Michael Lash and wife, Alexis, and Sarah Lash; and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that donations go to the Cypress Baptist Church Senior Sunday School Class, 4701 Palmetto Road, Benton, Louisiana 71006.