Omar V. "Jim" Mills

Omar Vignuelle "Jim" Mills, 88, of Lakesville passed away early Saturday morning at Mallard Bay Care Center, where he had been a patient for 3 months. He was born in Toddville on January 2, 1923 to the late McKinley and Florence Jones Mills of Toddville. He spent his early years in Toddville, working on the water and various seafood houses.

On March 27, 1942 he married Julia Norris Foxwell of Lakesville. He entered the U.S. Army in February of 1943 serving in the EAR (Engineer Amphibious Regiment) where he captained and maintained landing crafts. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and the Bronze Arrowhead on APTR. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Tech 4th grade in January of 1946. He served in New Guinea and other Pacific conflicts.

Upon returning home to Lakesville, he began his career as a waterman. He also drove seafood trucks for I.F. Cannon and Son and worked part time for Cargo Handlers in the 1960's. In his early life, he was a member of Zion United Methodist Church of Toddville. Upon moving to Lakesville, he became a member of Streets United Methodist Church until it closed and then transferred his membership to Crapo Ebenezer Church in Crapo. He also belonged to the Choptank Memorial Post 7460 VFW and the American Legion Post 91.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Julia Norris Mills; a daughter and son in law Cathy and Anthony Hayden, Sr., a grandson and granddaughter in law Anthony K. Hayden, Jr. and Kelly Hayden, a great grandson Joey Hayden and a great granddaughter Toni Hayden, brother in law James Foxwell, Sr., brother and sister in law Leonard and Janice Foxwell and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Mills was preceded in death by a brother O'Neal Mills, grandson Joseph Hayden, sister in law Betty Foxwell, brother and sister in law Thomas, Jr. and Evelyn Foxwell, brother and sister in law David and Pauline Robbins and nephews James Foxwell, Jr. and Thomas Foxwell III.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Pastor Dave Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery near Hurlock. Family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be William "Snooks" Windsor, Anthony K. Hayden, Jr., Vernon Morris, Jr., Robert Insley, Carl Hughes and Len Foxwell, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Leonard Foxwell, Sr., James Foxwell, Sr., William Foxwell, Marvin Parks, Bradley Bradford, Roger Morris, Keith Morris, Russell Stevens, Rev. Chris Pennington and James Whitfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Zion United Methodist Church, c/o Betsy Hughes, 2533 Toddville Road, Toddville, MD 21672.