“Lee” was born in Bakersfield, Ca on May 7, 1947. He passed on November 21, 2015 in Turlock, CA. Lee resided in Oakdale, CA for the better part of the last 20 years and prior to that he was a long time resident of Tulare, CA. He served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Army. Lee was a truck driver for over 50 years and started driving at the age of 13. He spent many years as a dozer operator, “He was always proud of his stack.” Lee never met a stranger and always had a story to tell. Always smiling and cracking jokes is the way most remember him. He raised many children and loved them all as his own.
Lee was preceded in death by his father Joseph Howard Mills, his mother Betty Jean Lillard Mills, and his son Joseph Lee Mills Jr. Lee is survived by six children, Sandra Mills, Raena Gunsolus, Angie Mills, Michael Pierce, Steven Burkett, Wanda Richards, 33 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, brothers Fred Mills and Alan Mills, sisters Neta Mills, Loretta Isreal, Ardella Hauser and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A visitation will be Dec. 10, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Celebration of Life will be Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m.
Both visitation and celebration will be held at Oakdale Memorial Chapel 830 W. F St., Oakdale, CA 95361.
Burial at Bakersfield National Cemetery at a later date.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Dec. 2, 2015