Bill Mills, Ford dealer

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Bill Mills, Ford dealer
Married FUHS sweetheart Bette Whitelock

Mills, William Arlee "Bill".

Bill Mills entered into eternal life on Wednesday, August 6, 2008.

His loving and devoted family and friends were at his side. Bill was born on May 25, 1927 to Dorothy and Arlee Mills in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in Fullerton along side his brother Bob. He attended Fullerton High School before enlisting in the Navy in 1944.

He was married to his high school sweetheart, Bette Whitelock, on May 16, 1948. Together they had two children, Scott and Diane, and multiple dogs named Sammy. They raised their family in Fullerton but enjoyed escaping to their San Clemente beach house where many fond memories were made.

Bill and his brother Bob followed in their father's footsteps and went into business together. They had several Ford dealerships, tractor stores, an auto part store, and various real estate endeavourers throughout their career.

Bill won several prestigious awards including the Time Quality Dealership Award.

Bill retired from Mills Ford in 1992. He enjoyed spending his retirement with his wife traveling near and far in their motor home with their close friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren Erin, Alisa, Alexa, Greg, and Kyle.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Bette; son, Scott; daughter, Diane; daughter-in-law, Jane; son-in-law, John, and five grandchildren, Erin (Tyler), Alisa (Ryan), Alexa (Michael), Greg, Kyle, and Sammy. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the City of Hope or a charity of your choosing in his honor. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary
Published in the Orange County Register from 8/9/2008 - 8/11/2008

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David Robbins on August 11, 2008 at 1:36 PM said:

McCoy Mills Ford is still a part of Fullerton history.We have 3 cars that have all been purchased from Mills Ford in the last 3 years.What a great goup of people there. S.H.H.S., boys especially, will always remember Bill. Dave Robbins

Vern Fotheringham, ‘66 on August 9, 2008 at 6:59 PM said:

I will never forget adventures Richard Munroe and I had riding our bikes over to the storage lot behind the McCoy and Mills dealership to get a sneak peek at the new models several weeks before they were released. Something we did until we could drive over for the same purpose! Those driver's licenses were REALLY IMPORTANT!

As gearheads, it was a big deal to be the first to see the new cars before anyone else. I especially remember what a special day it was for us when the Mustang was being released, and then there was that black, HiPo (289 C.I./271 H.P. - amazing, I still remember, but don't ask me for the state capitals!)version that the dealer guys did not really understand what they had, and a couple of punk kids from SHHS gave them a breathless seminar about why that particular version was so special (including all the stats!)

Important life forming activities... now go see www.vemaccars.com which is my own personal car manufacturing venture... life is certainly strange, but we all come from somewhere, and Paul's readers share special affinity to these common memory jogs. Thanks Paul!

Vern '66

Carolyn Specht, '62 on August 9, 2008 at 6:54 PM said:

My father bought at least 2 cars there; one was a Mustang that my sister Darlene, '67 still has.

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If there was ever a fixture of Fullerton when we grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, it was McCoy & Mills Ford on Commonwealth at Richman, caddy corner from Dr. Buster O. Bruce's dentist office. Rest in peace, Mr. Mills.

From the OC Register:

When Bill laughed, he really laughed. He enjoyed life. We had great times together working at Mills Ford, for over 10 years. My memories will always be about our relationship. Bill loved his family, they always came first in his life. He and his brother Bob were two of the most genuine people I have ever known. Bill and I loved e-mailing each other, exchanging ideas, telling jokes, just being good friends, I will miss him. My heart goes out to the family, along with my prayers.
Jim Hanson (Rocklin, CA)

August 9, 2008
What a man...what a teacher...what a mentor...what a friend! Bill made thousands of friends over the years and I am so humbled to be one of them. My heart is so heavy that I now must wait awhile before we can have our next face-to-face conversation, as I will miss that terribly. Bill was my 'answer man' so much of the time. I will miss the e-mails, the phone calls, the lunches and the laughs. I will always have a place in my heart for "The Boss"...Bill Mills.
May the family find peace in their hearts. Life is but a journey until we are all reunited again. Faith brings us great comfort, as do our memories of very cherised times together! Bette, Scott, Jane, Diane and John...we have some GREAT memories! Thank you from the depths of my soul for including me.
Chelle Wilson (Cypress, CA)