Byron Herbert Mills, Jr.

Major Byron Herbert Mills Jr.
July 31, 1948 - October 22, 2025
"Always keep the sunny side up, and sharp end forward — push it up!"
Service Information
Frazer Methodist Church
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Visitation: 2:00 p.m. Service: 3:00 p.m.
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A Life of Duty, Courage, and Grace
Major Byron Herbert Mills Jr., United States Air Force (Retired), passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025. A man of honor and intellect, Major Mills dedicated his life to service, both in uniform and in community and was a long-standing member of Frazer Methodist Church.
Born on July 31, 1948, to Byron Herbert Mills Sr. and Virginia Holladay Mills, Byron graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1966 and shortly thereafter began what would become a life defined by service and integrity.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the Alabama Air National Guard's 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, where his military career began in the Photo Laboratory. His attention to detail, technical mastery, and steadfast commitment to excellence were evident from the very beginning. Byron went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Troy State University, later serving the State of Alabama in the Department of Purchasing.
He successfully completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Officer in the Alabama Air National Guard. His dedication and perseverance carried him to the skies as a Navigator and ultimately as a Fighter Pilot in the F-4 Phantom II. Major Mills served as a full-time Technician Pilot, where he distinguished himself as both an Instructor and Check Pilot, shaping a generation of aviators with precision, discipline, and mentorship grounded in excellence.
In 1982, Major Mills sustained life-altering injuries in an aircraft accident that ended his flying career and left him paralyzed. Yet, this event did not define him; it revealed his extraordinary spirit. For the next forty-three years, he met each day with courage, grace, and a steadfast optimism that inspired all who knew him. Never one to yield to despair, he lived independently, facing adversity with unwavering resolve and quiet dignity.
A man of profound intellect and quick wit, Major Mills engaged others with curiosity and charm, and he enriched every conversation with insight and humor. His resilience and grace became a living testament to strength of character and the enduring power of faith.
Beyond his distinguished military career, Major Mills remained an active and beloved member of his community. He was a faithful participant at Frazer Methodist Church, a cherished member of Prime-Time Singles, and a loyal attendee of Guard Reunions. His enthusiasm for Auburn football and his passion for classic Corvettes reflected the joy and vitality with which he embraced life.
Major Mills was preceded in death by his parents, Byron Herbert Mills Sr. and Virginia Holladay Mills, and by his siblings: Virginia Ann "Ginger" Mills, Judy Corinne Mills, Jane Mills Ennis, and Patricia Florence Mills.

He is survived by his devoted children, Byron Kevin Mills and Kristi Mills Jeffers (Tommy); his cherished grandchildren, Thomas Blake Jeffers, Samuel Harris Jeffers, and Katherine Mae Jeffers; his brother, Louis Ray Mills (Danette); and his nieces, Jennifer Mills Holman (Randy), with their children, Reed Ellis and Cora Sage, and Heather Leigh Ennis.

A Legacy Remembered
Major Byron Herbert Mills Jr. will be remembered as a patriot, a gentleman, and a man whose courage in the face of hardship reflected the highest ideals of honor and service. His steadfast faith, his enduring optimism, and his commitment to excellence remain an inspiration to all who were privileged to know him.
May he rest in eternal peace, his spirit soaring ever higher, as he once did among the clouds he so loved.

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