William E. "Bill" Mills, Jr., co-founder and chairman of Atlanta-based public relations firm William Mills Agency, passed away on March 15. He was 78.
Mills passed away after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for two years. A memorial was held on March 19 at the Chapel of Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta.
He was buried at the Georgia National Cemetery in Cherokee, about 50 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
Mills co-founded the William Mills Agency in 1977 with his wife, Eloise Mills, who is the company's chief financial officer. The agency specializes in technology and financial services public relations and marketing and represents firms in the mortgage, insurance, healthcare and other industries.
Before forming the agency, Mills served in a variety of advertising and marketing roles at companies including Equifax, Citizens & Southern National Bank and the John H. Harland Company.
He participated in a number of civic organizations, including Kiwanis and Atlanta Farmers Club and graduated from Florida State University.
