William J. Mills

William J. "Bill" Mills, 80, Lebanon, passed away Friday, April 3, 2015 at Tremont Nursing and Rehab Center. He was the husband of Sue E. Small Mills, whom he married December 28, 1958. He was born in Lebanon on April 17, 1934, son of the late John W. Mills, Jr and Hilda A. Shanaman Mills. Bill was a retired music teacher. He was a 1956 graduate of Penn State University where he played in the Blue Band. He started his teaching career as the band director at Greenville High School, Greenville, PA. While teaching there, he received his draft notice and served in the Army as a member of Patton's Own Army Band from 1957-1959. After being discharged from the Army, Bill & Sue remained in the Atlanta, GA area where Bill became the Music Director at Tucker High School, Tucker, GA. While at Tucker H.S., the band and choirs under Bill's direction earned several state awards for musical excellence. In 1965 Bill & Sue returned to Pennsylvania where Bill became the band director for Conrad Weiser Junior/Senior Schools, retiring in 1992. While at Conrad Weiser , he earned his Master's Degree in French Horn performance from University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He was also a guest conductor for Tanglewood's Summer Music Program. He was elected to serve as Secretary for Pennsylvania's Chapter of Music Educator's National Conference. Bill was a member and past presiding officer of Mt. Lebanon Lodge #226, F&AM, Weidle Royal Arch Chapter #197, Lebanon Council #27, Hermit Commandry #24 and Tall Cedars of Lebanon Quittapahilla Forest #25, Fellowship High Twelve #669. He was a member of Penn Priory #6 Knights of York Rite Cross of Honor, Reading Consistory and Rajah Temple Shrine. He was a member of Conrad Weiser #449, Order of Eastern Star, where he served as Grand Chapter Choir Director. Bill was a keynote speaker and was well known for his talk on the History of Taps. While living in Georgia, Bill was choir director for a Methodist Church in Tucker. As a member of St. Paul's UCC, Robesonia, he was the director of the Youth Christmas Band, president of church council, member of Joint Consistory and a founding member of the 3M Sunday School Class. Bill began and ended his Christian journey as a member of Tabor UCC, Lebanon. Outside of his teaching career and involvement in Masonic Bodies, Bill was member of several community bands, Ringgold Band of Reading, Keystone Band of Rehrersburg and Reading Philharmonic Band. He was a Cub Scout Leader and a parent volunteer for Robesonia's 4H Club. During the Bicentennial, Bill became very knowledgeable about the history of the founding of the United States and led trips and gave tours of the Historic District in Philadelphia. In addition to his wife, Sue he is survived by a daughter, Julia, wife of Kevin Organtini of Fredericksburg, son W. Jay, husband of Debra Schlegel Mills of Bath, grandchildren Joyce, Joseph, Kathleen and Priscilla Organtini. He was preceded in death by a son John Willis Mills. These are the highlights of the "Dash" between Bill's birth and death date that will appear on Bill's tombstone. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Bill's funeral service on FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015 at 11:00 AM from Porterfield-Scheid Funeral Directors & Cremation Services, Ltd., 890 Isabel Dr., Lebanon (next to Quentin Circle) with Rev. George Miller officiating. Friends will be received THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. A masonic service conducted by Mt. Lebanon Lodge #226 F&AM will be held Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. Casket interment will be held in the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.

William J. Mills

April 17, 1934 - April 3, 2015