Ben B. Mills, Jr. of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, September 17, 2021.
Graveside services will be held 3 PM, Sunday, September 19, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. B.J. Funk and the Rev. Chris Ramsey officiating. Eulogies will be given by Judge Bobby Chasteen, Josh Larkey, and Ron Paulk.
Ben was born June 20, 1932, in Wadesboro, N.C., to the late Benjamin B. Mills and the late Virginia Hough Mills McDonald. In 1943, the family moved to Douglas where he later graduated from Coffee High School and South Georgia College. He excelled in Chemistry and music, and transferred to Georgia Tech from where he received a degree in Chemical Engineering. He joined the US Army and served during the Korean War era, where he passed exams to serve in the Intelligence Corps. Ben started Law School at the University of Georgia, after his service in the Intelligence Corps, and from where he graduated with an LLB and Juris Doctor Degree. Upon graduation, he returned to Fitzgerald where he practiced law for over 58 years.
During his career as a lawyer, he practiced with J. Carlyle McDonald for over 10 years, Bobby Chasteen for over 35 years, and Josh Larkey for 7 years. Early in his business career he was in charge of Urban Renewal, and served as county attorney for several years. For many years he was active in Georgia Trial Lawyers Assoc. and, served as president from 1985-1986. He served on the Disciplinary Board of the State Bar of Georgia and other committees. In the 1970’s two other local citizens and he were the first ones to obtain approval from the state banking commission to obtain a charter for the forerunner of what is now Colony Bank Corporation. He was very active in Central United Methodist Church where he served on various boards and committees, and helped with fundraising. He worked untiringly in leadership positions for several civic clubs and for community wide fundraisers.
Throughout his life Ben has been helping people, both locally and all over the state. He was very talented in music, and played the piano and saxophone by memory. He has had many hobbies i.e reading, remodeling cars, refinishing furniture and horticulture.
He is survived by his wife, Gudrun Heckert Mills of Fitzgerald; one son, John Benjamin Mills of Fitzgerald; a sister, Margaret Mills Chasteen, her husband Bobby Chasteen; two nieces: Ginny Lynn Chasteen and Melanie Chasteen Moorman, her husband Ashley Moorman; and three great-nephews: Ashton Moorman, Bay Moorman, and Mills Moorman.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Central United Methodist Church, Ben Mills Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the Methodist Children’s Home in Macon.