Stephen H. Mills

Stephen H. Mills, D.D.S., M.A., 75, of Waterford Way, Morganton, NC died Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness. He was born March 18, 1932 in Sarasota, FL, and was a son of the late Charles and Lois Bond Mills. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Mills. Dr. Mills graduated from the University of Florida, the University of Maryland Dental School, and also from Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory with a Master’s degree in counseling. He had a private dental practice in West Palm Beach, FL, and worked as a staff dentist at Broughton Hospital in Morganton, NC from 1978 until 1997. Dr. Mills published a paper for the General Dentistry magazine. He served on the Dental Boards of both Florida and North Carolina. He was a member of the Florida Dental Association, the North Carolina Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the American Counseling Association, and the North Carolina Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Stephen served as a First Lieutenant with the US Air Force. He was an avid cyclist, canoeist, swimmer, and hiker, and participated in triathalons for many years.

Dr. Mills is survived by his wife, Margaret D. Mills of the home; sons, Stephen H. Mills, Jr. and wife, Jennifer, of W. Palm Beach, FL, Michael S. Mills and wife, Janet, of Davidson, NC, Jay C. Mills and wife, Julie, of Lake Worth, FL, and Barry P. Mills and wife, Merilyn, of Eastport, ME; grandchildren, Lindsey, Madelyn, John Henry, Morgan, Francine, and George Alden Mills; and step-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Sarah, and William Ashley.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.