Everette "ET" Thomas Mills

Everette Thomas "ET" Mills was born on October 16, 1924 in Saluda,SC to Cyril Henderson Mills and Annie L. Waters Mills. He grew up in Saluda, Prosperity, and Columbia SC with his parents, three sisters and one brother. Mr. Mills enlisted in the US Navy, fought bravely in the amphibious invasions of North Africa and Guadalcanal, serving his Country honorably during World War II. After his Naval service and training on large diesel engines, he worked at the Savannah River Plant and in the Diesel Department of Central Chevrolet. Mr. Mills was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Etta Ree "Whetstone" Mills, from Salley SC. They resided in Cayce, SC with their two daughters. After living a full life, he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Thursday, March 30, 2017 while in the care of Brian Center-St. Andrews in Columbia SC. Mr. Mills was predeceased by one sister, Mildred "Mickie" Cornell Connelly and his brother, Carl Cyril Mills. He was a Loving Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather - and Proud Naval Machinist During World War II. Surviving are: his sisters, Alda Rae Amick of Irmo SC and Macie Olivia HIx of West Columbia SC; his daughters and sons-in law, Mary Mills Safko and Ronald Joseph Safko of Columbia SC, and Janice Kay "Mills" Jarvis and David Wayne Jarvis of Whitmire SC; his grandchildren, Eric Thomas Rast and wife Katie Moss Rast of Whitmire SC, Rene' Rast Pressley of Whitmire SC, Christopher Ross Safko and wife Valerie Wrenholdt Safko of Dillon CO, and Andrew Wingard Rast Jr of West Columbia SC.; and his great-grandchildren, Kaylee Addison Nobles, Lane Thomas Rast, Elise Wrenholdt Safko, Jessie Wrenholdt Safko, Sallie Mikhail Moss Jenkins, and Jolee Makenna Moss Jenkins. The family would like to express our deepest thanks to his closest devoted friends, Barbara and Daniel Day in Cayce SC. The family would like to recognize the many acts of kindness over the years from neighbors, the pastoral staff of Cayce Methodist Church, and the staff of Southeastern Freight Lines. We want to commend the care teams of Dorn Veteran Hospital, Amedysis Hospice, and the Brian Center of St. Andrews for their devoted care and professional oversight. Everette T. Mills never met a stranger and had a big smile for everyone he encountered along his path of life. He will be missed by many, but not forgotten. Thompson Funeral Home in West Columbia | Visitation: 1pm | Funeral Services: 2pm | Sunday, April 2, 2017.