William C. "Bill" Mills

William C. (Bill) Mills

Bill was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on November 19, 1941 and passed in Darby, Montana on October 17, 2023.  He was the oldest son of Jareld and Juanita Mills, and brother to Jerry Mills

Bill spent his youth in Riverton Wyoming where he graduated from high school and learned to hunt, fish and hone his mechanical capabilities working on cars and building printed newspaper ads from lead blocks. After graduation he moved to Utah where he entered electronics school which was the beginning of his life-long profession in nuclear engineering technology. He designed, managed and built many detailed and complex systems to support the nuclear navy over 40+ years in Idaho, Pennsylvania and Washington. He received multiple awards for his creation of unique systems and the completion of demanding projects with Westinghouse and Bettis Laboratories during his career.

While living in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. Bill and his wife Kathleen became volunteer Ski Patrolmen. He served on the National Ski Patrol for over 35 years where he was the recipient of many service awards and provided annual training for new patrolmen in Jackson Wyoming, Grand Targhee, and in Montana at Lost Trail Powder Mountain.

After spending 12 years building his dream property in Darby Montana, he served for many years on the board and as president of the Tin Cup Water district where he was responsible for implementation of a satellite-based control and monitoring system that regulates and maintains the flow of water for district members irrigation needs. He kept a herd of pack mules for many years and enlisted them to travel into the Bitterroots for his trips to Tin Cup Lake & beyond. Two mules are still enjoying the run of the Blue Bird Ranch as Bill & Kathleen called their home.

Bill is survived by his brother Jerry, son Charles, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, a niece and many wonderful friends from the Darby, Richland Washington and Idaho Falls areas. He enjoyed all the great friends that made his life in Darby full and enjoyable and was always willing to help anyone at any time who needed construction expertise, a tow to get out of the ditch, or help hauling a skier off the mountain.

A memorial to celebrate Bill’s life will be held on November 18th at the First Baptist Church at 10am. 107 W Missoula Ave, Darby, MT.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.