Bill MILLS Obituary

Bill Mills - a friend to everyone and everyone's friend. A true legend gone from our sight long before your time..truly missed.
Glenice Renaud (nee Hodge)

I am reminded of Bill Mills a hell of a lot. At Pony Club at TePuru one day, I was riding Bosco, Billy's horse. Billy had a piece of block toffee and I had the knife. He threw me the toffee to cut and I drove the knife into the first joint of my second finger. Every time I touch anything with that part of that finger, it's like a small electric shock. It doesn't lead me to cussing Bill but when I heard of his passing it brought back a lot of memories.

Loved the guy.

- Merv Hodge, Glen, New Hampshire, USA
(ex Keane's Road, Maraetai)

Maraetai has lost a great community hero. not only was he a dad to Katie, Grayth and Grace but to the rest of us kids growing up in the community. Running up and down the touch line on a saturday morning rugby game, in the pouring rain in gumboots stubbies and a t-shirt holding an umbrella, giving encouragement like get in there son dont be afraid. Our thoughts are with you from Tasmania

Your children are a testament to the wonderful man that you were, I remember growing up in Maraetai, those were definately memorable days. You were a 'Dad' to most of the kids in the area offering support and encouragement often. The lift up the hill in the pouring rain, the cheers at school sporting events. The hearty laughter and never say never attitude. You leave behind a community touched by your presence. Hugs to Helen, Katie, Garreth, and Grace. You are in our thoughts.

What a great neighbour and friend, from sharing chickens at Rewa Rd,hey you could wield an axe when we looked the other way at their demise, a kitchen full of bees! a great hearth in our kauri house next to your lovely mum. Then Waiheke, sharing again. We walked up the path for the last time - I'll return that ladder. Miss those cuppas and chats, your cheery face at the door. My blessing to have known you.
Marion

Oh Bill, it is such a bugger that you have gone. We will miss your warmth and generous spirit that was larger than life. You gave so much love to our family and your memories and spirit will live on within us. We can only hope to continue your laughter and aroha amongst us in the yeas to come. We are all so sad, and we are here for Helen, Garreth, Katie and Grace and families always.
arohanui
Simon, Sarah, Kahu, Nikau, Felix.
xxxxx

Billy Mills - Legendary in Maraetai

Helen, Katie Gareth Grace, at times like this I am lost for the right words of comfort..Billy and you Helen were part of our lives for a number of years, the awesome times and many of them where laughter was the main feature, they are eatched in my mind and will remain forever. Take care. RIP Billy all my love Dianne, Ben and Maxie

Mills, Bill. As a young girl I remember you always had a smile and that cheeky twinkle in your eyes. Years later when I met you again on Waiheke that smile and twinkle were even brighter.
Bill, you were an icon of Maraetai, and it was a pleasure to have grown up knowing you.
With much love to Helen, Katie, Gareth & Grace.

Karyn Brocas

Sorry i couldn't be with you and your family today Bill.I have wonderful memories of working with you and our tennis matches.

Dear Helen,Katie,Gareth,Grace and family
Our sincere sympathy to you all
We are sorry we were unable to be there to celebrate his life.
Love Jennifer and Graham

billy awesome funeral mate ,you are one of a kind ...,you will never be forgotten,you are maraetai...we are all gona miss ya smile. ya laugh .ya presence
norty junior

Fond memories of our days in Beachlands and Maraetai.
Ox and Glenys Arkinstall

Billy Mills - such a lovely guy. Always time for a hug and a chat.
Fly free in your next adventure!!
Best Regards to Helen and all your family
Victoria Seccombe (Hastings)

A Wonderfully Encouraging Gentleman, Thank you for being You, from your Honorary Cousin Kathryn Mills

Bill, You will be sadly missed by the Maraetai Community and all that knew you.
You have touched many lives, a special person gone too soon. Our thoughts are with all the family at this sad time. May you RIP.

Steve Fuller - Congo DRC
Carol Fuller & Family - Maraetai

Bill you always had a special welcome for everyone,you put a silver lining on every situation .We will miss your speacial smile cherry welcome Our hearts go out to Helen and Gareth ,Kate ,Grace and family .Nick and Elaine and family

...out in the middle of nowhere in the Southern Pacific Ocean on a rusty ole ship headed for the island of Ata. Everytime I thought we were gonna tip in those big waves, you were the life raft. Thanks for everything Bill. I'll miss knowing you're around.

Bill Mills.
A "REAL GOOD BLOKE" taken from us far too early.
We go back a long ways Bill, pupils at Maraetai Beach school,parties at the beach all summer, cold beers at Whitford during the hay making season, at work sites, there was never a time that you were too far away.
Always a greeting,always a smile, always polite.
Nothing seemed to be a problem.
You selflessly dedicated time to the school and community.
You earned respect and friendship from both young and old and you never failed to find the time to share with all,my family very much included.With a great interest in local history you regularly dropped in to have a cuppa with my mother and recall the old times. And then you spoke so warmly at her funeral just a short time ago.You touched a lot of lives.
OH, and remember the time...............................
Always a greeting, always a smile and always the fondest of farewells.
Our thoughts and kind regards go out to Helen,Katie,Gareth and Grace.
Kia Kaha
Lloyd and Janette, Vanessa, Zane and Camille

The farm, the horses, the bees. A huge part of my childhood spent roaming the farm trying to catch the horses. Always a wave when you drove past. Always there to lend a helping hand. An icon of Maraetai has now gone from our lives but not from our hearts and memories. Thoughts and hugs to Helen, Gareth, Katie and Grace.

Billy Mills - Legendary in Maraetai.

Bill, it seems like only yesterday that we were walking through Nikau laced paths enroute to yet another special swim at Hekarua Bay. If we were lucky and the season was upon us we could indulge in those delicious Hekerua peaches on the walk back home. The Raconteur, with an infectious laugh and welcoming hospitality; will miss you terribly.

Much Love Miriam and Mike

Uncle Bill - you will be so, so missed. You were the life of the party with so much to give. I feel very lucky to have known you... My thoughts are with Helen, Kate, Gareth and Grace. Much Love.

We have great memories Bill your laugh your sense of humour and what an awesome bricky. Our love to all the family. Graham and Judy Norton and family.

I have so many wonderful memories from my childhood of a big man, with a big laugh and a incredible heart. Everyone had a great time when you were in a room. Your sense of humour was one of a kind and you always had a special way of making everyone feel welcome. You were a very special man, uncle and godfather to me even though I have not seen you for a long time. It has been too long. Rest easy Uncle Bill. All our love to Aunty Helen, Kate, Gareth and Grace. Lee, Lyndon, Kaylee & Teagan Johns.

Bill was always, to me, a wonderful man who could light up any room with his smile, his jokes, his laughter and his unique sense of fun. I knew Bill through TNMC and he was full of encouragement. An amazing man who will be sadly missed and always remembered. Jan & John Given

Mills, Bill Such a special person to be gone so soon. Your kindness, wonderful warm spirit, thoughtfulness, sense of humour and music will live on in our hearts, especially the song "knocking on heavens Door" will miss you. Our thoughts are with you Helen and all the family Steve and Dale

MILLS, Bill. Hey Dad... it was good talking to you the other day, I hear you've put another dent in the old Ute. 'On the phone were we?' Both E & S won their games on the weekend, B not so lucky... I'm not sure if I've ever told you this before, we love you and are so lucky to have you in our lives. We will miss you more than you can imagine. Talk on Thursday. Johnny, Robbie, Amy, Stella, Eli, Beau and Cooper

MILLS, Bill. Over the weekend we lost a great friend. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Helen, Kate, Gar eth, Grace and the little ones.Respect and love from the Hamlet Family. Bill's laugh, life and mischievousness will always make us smile. R.I.P.

MILLS, Bill. Bill, Billie Boy, Willie, working for you was an experience, education and pleasure. Your presence in life was big, your sense of humour massive. Forever in the hearts of all you met. "Get a mix on." Darry (Darren) and Judy.

MILLS, Bill. A brother in arms with an amazing presence - your jokes, comedy and one liners will always be a happy memory of our time together. Bill you lived so that when your children think of fairness and integrity they think of you. You left our lives as quickly as you came into our lives. All our love to Helen and the family. Love Barb and Murray Jackson and family.

MILLS, Bill. And so the time has come for you to take your leave. Billy, we loved having you as a friend, Bon Voyage, Brian, Louise, Cassandra, Gabriel and Lewanna.

MILLS, Bill. What a treasure to have known and loved you Bill. Our heartfelt sympathy to Helen and family from the Archie Darraghs.

MILLS, Bill. A great heart has suddenly been taken from us. We shall all miss you so much Bill. Love always. Mary, Graeme, Taz, Karen and Sofia.