Raleigh Allen Mills Sr

Raleigh Allen Mills Sr., a long time resident of Gillette and Northeast Wyoming, left this world and into the arms of his Savior on Friday, February 13, 2015. He was at his winter home in Tucson, Arizona at the time of his death.Raleigh was 74 years old. He was born in Gillette, Wyoming on August 1, 1940 to Ralph E. Mills Jr. and Evelyn (Decker) Mills. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 48 years Linda (Reed) Mills and his granddaughter Rachel Mills. He is survived by his wife Nancy (Bozic) Mills, by his brother Reynard Mills of Hulett, WY, his sister Clara Belle Carter of Springfield, MO, his new mama Jane Ray of Tucson, AZ, sister Susan Cleveland of Tucson, AZ, new brother Robert (Dianne) Ray of Lafayette, CO, and 6 children, Allen (Debbie) Mills of Sterling, IL, Catherine (Wayne) Wrisk, Michael (Nelda) Mills of Gillette, WY, Larry (Tiffany) Mills of Gillette, WY, Scott (Nadya) Stirton of Yorba Linda, CA, and Marc (Laura) Stirton of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by grandchildren Timothy, Russell, Joshua (Christine), Lane, Matthew, Jolin, Weston, Zion, Bryce, Landon, and Luke, and one great grandchild Emerson. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and too many friends to count. His childhood was spent living on ranches in Campbell County, WY. He moved with his family to a ranch near Carlisle, WY in his early teens and lived there with his parents until his marriage to Linda on June 3, 1961. He graduated high school at Sundance, WY in 1958. Raleigh and Linda lived in or near several towns in Colorado, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming including Eads and Brush in Colorado, Newell, South Dakota, Broadus, Montana and Moorcroft, Gillette and Thermopolis in Wyoming.He married Nancy Bozic on August 15, 2014. Their plans were to live the summer months in Gillette and the winter in Tucson, Arizona and continue in ministry together. City life was new to Raleigh, but as was characteristic for him, he found ways to settle in. An amazed "wow" was frequently heard as he saw so many country-at-heart and Western interests in his new city family. It goes without saying that roping lessons had begun for all. Raleigh at various times was a ranch hand, ranch owner, farm owner, oil field hand, owner of an oil field service company, trucker, truck owner/driver and ranch manager and co-pastor of the Four Square Church in Thermopolis, WY. His passion was his walk with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, and team roping in which he had many trophies to show his prowess at that sport. Linda's uncle Ron Scott insisted that had Raleigh chosen to pursue team roping as a profession he would have been one of the very best. We don't know that but we do know that with little practice and sometimes on marginal horses he won over and over again, even with sight in just one eye.There is a song we sang as children, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." Raleigh was like the song. He quietly let his light shine. There is a story told that a local rancher near Gillette was sitting in his pickup over looking his pasture after a blizzard. He was afraid that he had lost his cows. A pickup pulling a horse trailer pulled up beside him and Raleigh got out and said, "Clint let's ride out and check your cows." That simple quiet statement and the company of a strong quiet man helped him accept what couldn't be changed and helped give him strength to look toward tomorrow.Here is a little known fact. According to the Sundance Times May 19, 1955 Raleigh was a member of the cast of the play, "Mountain Gal" at the Hulett High School. Who would have thought that Raleigh was a thespian? One more little known fact, Raleigh enjoyed listening to Hawaiian music, especially on road trips.To reflect his love for rodeo, youth and mentoring, a memorial fund has been established to support youth rodeo in Gillette, WY. Donations may be made to:Raleigh A Mills Sr Youth Rodeo Memorial Fundc/o ANB Bank800 E 7th StGillette, WY 82716Family viewing will be held at the Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday February 22, 2015. Public viewing will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 at the same location. Burial is to be at the Mt. Pisgah cemetery in Gillette at 10:00 AM followed by a memorial service at the New Life Wesleyan Church, 1000 Comanche Avenue, Gillette at 1:00 PM. A reception will be held after the service.Funeral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716