Obituary

Harry Lambert Mills
(July 23, 1923 - March 09, 2018)

Harry Lambert Mills, 94, of Huntington, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, March 9, 2018, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House from general organ failure due to simple old age.  Harry is best remembered as the good-natured, high-spirited square dance caller and comedic sidekick to host Dean Sturm on WSAZ's long-running Saturday Night Jamboree, airing 1953-64.  During the 11-year run of the show, Harry did not miss a single live performance, totaling almost 600 uninterrupted weekly appearances. His late wife, Billie Mills (1925-1993), was also a performer with him on the show.  Harry and Billie Mills had one son, David, who lives in Huntington and one granddaughter, Sophia Mills, currently a student at OSU in Columbus. Harry was a courageous combat Marine during WWII, fighting to liberate the occupied Pacific islands. Following WWII, Harry worked 36 years for the Veterans Administration, first at the local VA Hospital, then, for most of his career at the Downtown Huntington VA Regional Office helping veterans purchase homes through the GI Bill.  He was a Life Member of the Marine Corps League and an ethically-impeccable representative of The Greatest Generation.  Harry was a gentle, soft-spoken man incapable of anger or raising his voice.  He was empathetic and generous to a fault.  He fed and adopted every stray animal clawing at his door.  For the last 71 years of his life, Harry lived in his same home on Washington Avenue.  He was an avid fan of Marshall football.  He loved to drink beer and chew tobacco (and he outlived most).  Per Harry’s wishes, he will be cremated with a can of Bud Light Lime beer. There will be no services or visitation.  The family asks for privacy during this time of loss.