Howard Wesley Mills of Mars Hill, NC passed away at dawn on Wednesday, March 4th after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was sixty-five years old. Wes, as he was known by loved ones, fought his battle bravely and his family is proud of him. 

Born on October 6th, 1960 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Fred and Hazel Mills, Wes spent his boyhood in Charleston, SC and lived throughout the southeast before settling in Western North Carolina. He was a high-school graduate with some college education, though he was largely self-taught in his trade. Wes had a keen mind for understanding technological and mechanical systems, and he worked for much of his life in technology sales and management before transitioning to IT consulting in his later years. 

Wes enjoyed tinkering, fishing, camping, cooking, travel, music, movies, and watching football. He loved animals, his wife, and his children, and he was deeply loved in return. Wes will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, his gifted storytelling ability, and his knack for fixing almost anything. 

Wes is survived by his wife, Jennifer Mills, his daughter, Sarah Gordon, his son, Jacob Mills, his daughter, Grace Mills, his stepsons, James and Spencer Jordan, his dogs, Finley and Henry, and his cat Fiona. He is preceded in death by his father, Fred, his mother, Hazel, his brothers, Larry and Robert, his sister, Terry Lynn, and his dog Max. 

A private celebration of life will be held for family and friends on March 28th. If you would like further details or to offer condolences, please contact his son, Jacob at 828-505-9252.