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William Mills Obituary
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dena'ina Center.
Bill was born July 21, 1957, to William and Elaine Mills in Anchorage. He attended Anchorage schools and graduated from West Anchorage High School in 1975. During his high school years, he was a state championship swimmer. He attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate studies, where he also swam competitively. He then achieved a Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
After joining the Navy, Bill attended the University of Colorado Medical School, where he met and married Carey Jackson in 1991. He then attended resident's training in general surgery and orthopedic surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Leaving the Navy as a lieutenant commander, Dr. Mills practiced medicine in Seattle for six years. In 2004, Bill moved back to Anchorage with his family. He joined Orthopedic Physicians Anchorage and became a well-loved local physician and surgeon.
Dr. Mills' many honors and accolades include: the Academy Faculty Teaching Award, University of Washington Orthopaedic Residency Program, and the Gerald Cady Award for Research Development, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, Calif. He served as an associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Washington in Seattle. During his six years in Seattle, Dr. Mills was also an attending surgeon at Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center and the Veteran's Administration hospital.
Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, cross-country and alpine skiing, shrimping, kayaking, skating, biking, running in the Anchorage area, family hockey games and hikes, watching the sports events of his children, and enjoying the outdoors with his family. His many adventures in Alaska include crab fishing in the Bering Sea, deer hunting on Kodiak Island, and fly-fishing Alaska's streams.
Bill was well known for his kind and protective nature. Family was very important to him, especially his wife and five children, who were the light of his life.
Dr. Mills is survived by his parents, Dr. William and Elaine Mills; his wife, Carey; children, Isabel, Jackson and Isaiah; children, Emily and Tyler, and their mother, Chris Silva; his siblings, Sarah Mills, Janet Miessner and husband Steve, Martha Rapuzzi and husband Rich, Mary Day and husband Larry, John Mills and wife Pauline, and Matthew Mills; 12 nieces and nephews; and four great-nieces and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 800-533-2873, jdrf.org. Please direct inquiries to: [email protected], 907-644-5316.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory, www.akheritage.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Mills
Susan Ritter
March 14, 2025
This was such a tragic event. Dr. Mills was a wonderful person. He gave his all to his work, his family, and his community.
Dave Butto
April 19, 2011
Carry, Jackson, Isaiah, and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nancy Webb
April 13, 2011
A kind, caring, wonderful doctor. My very deepest sympathies to his loved ones.
Maureen O'Neill
March 30, 2011
I was fortunate to have Dr. Mills for both of my shoulder surgeries.... latest one this last fall. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends, staff and coworkers.... his loss will be felt for a very long time. You and our entire community has lost a great man and surgeon.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Nicole Arwine
March 30, 2011
Carey, I am so very saddened and heartbroken for you and your family. My daily thoughts and prayers will be with you and your sweet children through this most difficult time.
Phyllis Binero
March 30, 2011
... a good man and a great DR. He will be missed.
March 29, 2011
I AM HEART-BROKEN TO SEE SUCH A LOSS OF SUCH A GREAT DOCTOR. ALL THAT WORK TO CREATE A SECOND SUPERB ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON WORTHY OF THE NAME, WILLIAM MILLS MD IS NOW LOST.
LAWRENCE DEMPSEY MD
Monica Workman
March 26, 2011
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Dr. Mills replaced my ACL on 2/11. He was the most personable, professional and compassionate Dr. I've ever had. The news of his passing was devastating. May God be with you all during this difficult time.
Dave Templin
March 26, 2011
young Bill was truely a great person and a great orthopedist following the footsteps of his Dad. Our sympathy goes out to the family.
Joan Grounds
March 25, 2011
Carey,
My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
March 24, 2011
So Sorry,
Dave Beck, Seattle, Florida
Re-constructed my knee and I have never had a problem. 11 years later
Don & Vivian Shafer
March 22, 2011
So sorry for your loss! Our prayers are with you for the coming days that you will find comfort and strength as you grieve the loss of this exceptional man, husband, brother and son.
Ralph Bovard
March 22, 2011
Condolences to the Mills family for this sad misfortune. I worked briefly as a medical student on Denali in 1983 for Bill's father, Dr. William Mills, and met an amazing cadre of physicians and researchers in altitude and cold injury. Many have become dear friends over the years. Bill, his father, & their family have always brought out the best in people. Such a legacy the Mills have given to Alaska. Again, deepest sympathies.
Diane Doppel
March 22, 2011
Jonathan and I send you our love and care and wish that we could ease your pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we share your sorrow. A wonderful person gone too soon. Wishing you peace and strength
John Webster
March 22, 2011
Karolyn and I are deeply moved by the tragic accident and loss of this outstanding orthopaedic surgeon. We knew and respected him well during his Navy days in San Diego. He was a wonderful teacher, surgeon, father and friend. We send our hopes and prayers to his grieving family. With sorrow, the Websters.
Ann Joy
March 22, 2011
With deepest condolences to the Family, so very sorry for your loss ! God has a wonderful Angel at work, know he's smiling down and watching over you!
The Joy Family
Sharon Daniel
March 21, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Dr. Mills was a compassionate man and a skilled doctor. His excellent work helped my mom, and his friendly ways made the difficult time much easier.
Hal and Mary Ann Egbert
March 21, 2011
Our sympathies are sent to all family and OPA coworkers. We had tremendous admiration, appreciation and respect for Dr. Mills. He touched our lives in many ways. His model as a physician and generous person will be remembered . We will miss him greatly.
connie lynch
March 21, 2011
thank you, dr. mills, for your good care of our patients. we will miss seeing you on rounds. my deepest sympathy to all your family.
Sherice Massey
March 21, 2011
Dr. Mills was a wonderful physician and person. I was a patient of his for the past 3 years. He took time in explaining any and all issues that I was having and instead of jumping to surgery took other avenues to rectify the problem. Dr. Mills had a wonderful bed side manner and that is very rare now a days. I was shocked and very saddened to learn of his passing and he will be greatly missed. I am glad I had him as my physician for that time frame. My prayer goes out to his family and friends.
R Morgan
March 21, 2011
Tight lines Bill, tight lines!
Steven Skolnick
March 21, 2011
So sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences go out to your entire family.
Your Hillside Neighbors
March 21, 2011
Our deepest condolences to an outstanding family and parents for such a kind and beloved son of the family and our Alaskan community.
Sandy Lappi
March 20, 2011
God Bless you and your family at this time.
Theresa McCollam
March 20, 2011
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Mills on some technical and trauma ortho cases. The dedication,concentration and compassion that he demonstrated while patching lives back together were quite an inspirational site. His passion for not only medicine, but his life and family were evident in his stories he shared while he worked. Alaska has lost one of its finest: man, teacher, surgeon, friend, mentor, coworker, son, father, husband, and he will never be forgotten. He leaves an unmatched legacy, and has set a high standard for his colleagues and coworkers through his passion and dedication and compassionate care he consistently gave to all in need. May we all find solace knowing that he was respected and loved by many, died doing what he loved, and leaves many fond and cherished memories of so many aspects in the way he chose to daily live and share his life.
Vicky Cox
March 20, 2011
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Dr. Mills. He replaced my knee in Sept. 2009 and was the best doctor I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and having. He truly cared about his patients. He was highly recommended when I needed surgery and I found out why.
My deepest sympathy to all of his family.
Vicky Cox. Haines, AK
Sandra Allen
March 20, 2011
I was a patient of Dr Mills 4-5 years ago. To this day I remember him as one of the most genuine and kind individuals I have ever met. That legacy is clear and our hearts go out to the Family we know he dearly loved.
Daphne Beingessner
March 20, 2011
Bill was a huge influence on my career and life. His legacy will live on not only in the lives of his own patients but in the many patients of those of us he taught so masterfully. My deepest sympathy to the Mills family at this difficult time.
Amy (Colling) Camp
March 20, 2011
Carey, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband. My prayers are with you and your children. May God bless you and them and grant you comfort at this time and in all your days to come. With love,
Carmel Nelson
March 20, 2011
Dr. Mills was a fantastic physician and surgeon, willing to take the extra time with me, a patient with complex issues. He listened and had a great "bed side manner," most rare these days of 15 minute medical appointments. His surgical abilities were outstanding and the joy he took with his job and helping patients heal, watching their success, was apparent with his grace, light in his eyes and his exuberant smile. I was saddened and shocked to hear of his loss and will deeply miss him as part of my "medical team". I hope his family and friends find comfort with these words.
March 20, 2011
"Billy Mills" and the SPA swim team will always be some of my fondest memories of Anchorage and growing up. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Mills family. I will always remember that smile and know it will stay in the hearts of all those that knew and loved him. Love Becky(Haines)Kelly
Jon Perr
March 20, 2011
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Bill's tragic passing. He was a great friend to our family and brought us comfort in our time of need. My deepest sympathies go out to his family at this most difficult time.
Alan Hartley
March 20, 2011
I did not have the privlage of meeting Dr. Mills. My girlfriend was a patient of his. She spoke so highly of him and gave her great confidence and comfort under his care. Though I never met him I feel like I lost someone I know. He indeed was a very special man. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, co-workers and patients of Dr. Mills.
Pamela Cunningham
March 20, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Bill's family and friends. He was an inspiration to many. May all of our memories keep him close and bring comfort.
March 20, 2011
My condolences go out to the whole Mills family. My siblings and I grew up with the Mills children in Anchorage's South Addition. Again, I'm very sorry.
Doug Tryck
My twin brother, Ron, and I grew up with Bill. We are saddened to hear of his death and of your great loss. Our hearts go out to you. Ron & Robbin
Robbin (Gilmore) St. Amand
March 20, 2011
Darwin Fischer
March 20, 2011
Dr. Mills was one of those special people who told it like it was. His honesty and sincerity with people made him a beacon by which to live our own lives. He will always remain in my mind as a good doctor and in my heart as a great man.
Dixie & Stan Myers
March 20, 2011
Carey, our prayers are with you,your wonderful children and family at this hardest of times. We were at your wedding and your parents have been our dearest friends since law school. Love Dixie & Stan Myers
Chris Manion
March 19, 2011
Bill you were a gift to the thousands of patients you touched over the years. Your partners will miss you dearly, but the community has sustained a bigger loss. My thoughts will continue for you and your family.
Jeff Parish
March 19, 2011
My sympathy to all the family, co-workers and friends of Dr. Mills. As a recent patient,I realize how lucky I was to have met Dr. Mills.I can only imagine your loss.
March 19, 2011
Sad to hear of his passing. He was a kind and caring doctor.
Connie Faulkner/Durvin
KELLEY Hosking
March 19, 2011
I remember Billy (he'll always be Billy to me) and his family from the old swimming days. We always looked up to him. RIP Billy, and I hope your family will be at peace as well. My deepest sympathy and condolences to you.
Shannon Smith
March 19, 2011
In loving memory
Pam Brady Benbrooks
March 19, 2011
Our prayers are with your family at this time. Bill was such a fun loving guy. I am sure he will be missed by many.
Jess Snider
March 19, 2011
Deepest Sympathy and Condolences
Stone family
March 19, 2011
Bill was a bright light, we will cherish the memories of him forever. May the love of family and friends, and the happy memories of a beautiful life carry you through.
Elisabeth Walker
March 19, 2011
Deepest condolences and much sympathy.
Dan Cheung
March 19, 2011
Bill, it's so sad to see you go too soon, gone, gone, gone to the other side.
Ronda Ferguson
March 19, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to his family and OPA co-workers for the loss of a truly respected wonderful man and physician. May you be comforted in this time of sorrow. Our prayers are with you!
Max & Esther Hulse
March 19, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Barry McQuade
March 19, 2011
My deepest condolences to the whole family. His passing is a great loss to the whole community.
S H
March 19, 2011
So very sorry for the loss of Dr. Mills. He was a wonderful and highly respected physician. Anchorage has lost one of it's finest...
May God Bless you Dr. Mills and comfort your family during this time.
Shannon
March 19, 2011
May God be with the family, freinds, collegues and patients of Dr. Mills in this time of great sorrow and sadness. I will never forget his kindness and gentle ways while under his care. He is truly irreplacable. I will miss him dearly.
Paul McGuire
March 19, 2011
He was a great man. May his family find some solace in the fact that he was loved and respected by so many people.
Paul McGuire
March 19, 2011
He was a great man and he is missed immensely by so many people. May his family find solace in knowing how many people loved and respected him.
Susan Ritter
March 19, 2011
Dear Family, We are saddened by the loss of Dr. Mills. He was a kind and generous man.
Terri Moore- Stoikes
March 19, 2011
Bill was a great guy to go to school with. He always had a kind word and a smile for everyone. He will be greatly missed. May the Heavenly Father hold you all close till you see him again.
Julie Renfrow
March 19, 2011
I was among the privileged who worked for Dr Mills. He expected nothing less than the very best in the care of his patients. His untimely death will no doubt leave a huge emptiness in his family's life, his office family's life, and the community in general, but his legacy will remain eternally. God bless you Dr. Mills.
Marla
March 19, 2011
I am so very sorry for your loss. May God grant you Peace through this difficult time.
FF
March 19, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. May the God of tender mercies who comforts and strenghten us in our trials and hardships sustain you at this time of tragedy.
Sister Marilee Murphy
March 19, 2011
My sympathy to all the family. I remember Dr Mills as a fun loving compassionate person. He often had a smile and good word for others.
His family stories were memorable.I appreciarted working with him over the years. You are in my prayers,
Sister Marilee Murphy
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