Fay & Joanna at the 25th Reunion

Fay Wesley Mills, Jr. passed away on March 7, 2003 in Napa, California at the age of 58.

Fay was born in Woodland, and was raised in Vallejo until the family moved to Napa when he was 11.  After graduating from Napa High, Fay began working at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.  He began serving an electrical apprenticeship in 1968, and spent 35 years as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 180.

His career as an electrician spanned three decades and included work at Sasco Electric, Anheuser-Busch, Jelly Belly, Hershey, Clorox, and Mondavi Winery.  As an active member of Local No. 180, he served on the Apprenticeship Committee and also taught apprenticeship classes.

Fay was very active in youth sports in Napa, coaching baseball and basketball for 17 years.  His coaching philosophy always emphasized that winning was never as important as sportsmanship, teamwork, and having fun.  Fay left his mark on the Napa Fly League, Tigers Baseball, Napa Little League, Babe Ruth League, Napa Merchants, and Optimist League.

Fay's greatest joy was being with family and friends.  Memorable days included Sunday dinner with Fay's Famous Burgers.  Sharing stories were also a big part of time spent together.  Fay passed away surrounded by his family following a short battle with cancer.

Fay is survived by Joanna (Andrews) Mills, his wife of 37 years; three sons, Jim, Jason, and Jeremy 'Bear' Mills; four brothers and one sister; three granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.  A memorial service for Fay was held on Sunday, March 15, 2003 at the first Baptist Church in Napa.