Arthur R. “Art” Mills, Jr., 93, passed away on Saturday (March 5, 2022) at Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wellsville following a short illness.
Mr. Mills was born on May 17, 1928 in Norwood, N.J. to Arthur Raymond and Anna Elizabeth (Burger) Mills, Sr. On November 19, 1949, in Johnsonburg, N.J. he married Barbara Ruth Hendershot, who survives.
Arthur owned and operated Bar-B-R Farms in Greenwood for many years. In the 1970’s, along with his sons, he started Mills Transport which later evolved into Southern Tier Express, Inc. in 1987. He also worked for Agway hauling commodities and spreading lime.
Art is survived by his wife of 72 years, Barbara Mills, three children, Roger A. (Niki S.) Mills of Greenwood and Patricia A. (Dean) Lamphier and John R. (Annette) Mills, both of Andover; seven grandchildren, Chad (Erica) Mills, Andrew Mills, Nicolas (Erin) Mills, Joanne (Steve Smith) Lamphier, Jolene Lamphier, Michael (Amy) Mills and Shawn (Lisa) Mills; and 16 great-grandchildren, Anthony Mills, Marella Mills, Laura Mills, Alison Mills, Amelia Mills, Nolan Mills, Brendan Mills, Kaylee James, Evelyn Lambert, Robert Lambert, Caleb Mills, Gavin Mills, Maddux Mills, Brynn Mills, Brayden Mills and Brooklynn Mills.
He was predeceased by his sister, Marie Kohler Austin and infant great grandson, Ryan Mills.
Art had many loves. He loved working on anything mechanical, whether it was rebuilding tractors or old Ford cars. He loved working and was successful and tough at it. From very meager beginnings, he managed a successful farming operation and trucking business.
Art’s greatest love was for his family where he usually incorporated that love into his love of travel. He went on group agricultural trips to Europe, New Zealand and Australia. With his motorhome, he traveled to the Panama Canal, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and Valdez, Alaska. In 2002, he formed a three 1948 Ford pick-up caravan to Inuvik, North West Territories, Canada. There was also a vacation to Hawaii with his family, but they left the motorhome behind for that trip.
Art had a great memory and was a walking roadmap, long before the days of GPS. In 2019 at the Greenwood Community Day, he and his wife Barb were named Citizens of the Year, a tribute of the love and admiration the locals had for Art and Barb. Art was a regular entry in many of the area parades with two or three of his vintage cars.
Per his wishes, there will be no prior visitation. A private burial will take place in Krusan Cemetery in Greenwood followed with a Celebration of Live Ceremony at Whitesville Rod & Gun Club at a date to be determined. Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Art’s name may be made to Andover Volunteer Ambulance Corps, PO Box 726, Andover, NY 14806 or the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company, 1577 Andover Street, Greenwood, NY 14839 © 2022 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
