Memorials › Hays Hoyet "Tooter" Mills
Hays Hoyet "Tooter" Mills
14 Oct 1925 – 22 Sep 2010
| Birth | 14 Oct 1925 |
| Death | 22 Sep 2010 |
| Cemetery | Oaklawn Memorial Park Athens , Henderson County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | Audrey McNair on 28 Sep 2024 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59182566 |
Bio
September 24, 2010 Hays Hoyet Mills Athens — Funeral services for Hays Hoyet "Tooter"Mills, 84, of Athens, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Athens. Officiating will be the Rev. John Green and Charlie Broussard. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens. He passed away Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 in Athens. Hays was born Oct. 14, 1925 in LaRue to Alonzo Calvin and Margie Ella Jackson Mills. He was delivered by Dr. S.O. Hays, of LaRue at 11 p.m. Dr. Hays was so impressed with the baby, he insisted on naming him "Hays." His friends gave him the nick name" Tooter" at LaPoyner High School, where he graduated. They nicknamed him "Tooter" because of his quick wit and humorous personality. Hays married Wilma Joyce Bass on Nov. 22, 1950 by the Rev. R.E. Bost, pastor of West Athens Baptist Church. Hays was a member of the First Baptist Church of Athens, where he and "Joyce" were saved by the Lord and were baptized. He was a devoted husband to Joyce for 59 years. Tooter was an entrepreneur who as a young man delivered ice, and after World War II, sold refrigerators to his ice customers. He managed L.R. Barron Company in Athens for several years. Hays was a part-owner of Eaton Motor Company from 1971 and eventually had full ownership until 2005. He worked for Washington National Insurance Company for 25 years, and had an outstanding record as leader and manager in Longview, where his son Scott was raised. He was the current owner of East Texas Tire of Athens. All of his life, Hays loved interacting with people. He felt it was an honor being of service to them. He dearly loved doing things with his son and grandsons, such as racing cars, sports, fishing and collecting old cars. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and Margie Mills; siblings, Lois Steele, Opal Warren, Estella McGee, Ila Heiskell, Ann Lagush, and Jack Mills. Hays is survived by his wife, Wilma Joyce Mills of Athens; son, Scott Mills and Lisa Rivera; sister, Vonella Broussard and husband Charlie; and sister-in-law, Lou Ellen Mills; grandchildren, Bryan and Jeremy Mills; and son and daughter of Lisa Rivera, Meredith Maldonado and Jeremy Perez. The family wishes to express our appreciation to the medical personnel and facilities, friends and family, customers, employees, and especially Bryan and Jeremy's mother, Rhonda, for her devoted love and help throughout the years. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday evening, Sept. 26, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and the National Cancer Society.
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Family
Parents
Spouse
Siblings
- Lois May Mills Steele 1908–1973
- Opal Marie Mills Warren 1910–1998
- Ila Viola Mills Heiskell 1911–2009
- Sarah Ann Mills Lagush 1913–1999
- Estella Mills McGee 1915–1997
- Ardis Mills 1916–1918
- Br Jack Mills 1919–2008
- Pauline Mills 1921–1923
- Hazel F. Mills 1923–1924
- Von Ella "Bonnie" Mills Broussard 1930–2015
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