John Michael Mills of Batesville, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2017, at his home on Orwood Road. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017, in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with the Rev. James West officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mike was born in Houston, Mississippi, on Feb 22, 1954, the youngest of four children of Felix Webster and Marion Ruth Mills of Batesville. He was married to the late Judy Carlini (Mills) of Water Valley who predeceased him in August 2014.  Also predeceasing Mike was his brother, David (Marie); his parents, Felix Webster and Marion Ruth Mills.

He is survived by his brother, William Terrel of Oxford, and sister, Marilyn Beach of Ridgeland; and nieces and nephews.

Mike was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. He also loved gardening and each year would bring in tubs of fruits and vegetables for freezing and canning. He and Judy’s memorable Fourth of July barbecues in their backyard always brought in friends, relatives and food in great abundance. He loved to joke and he had the softest of hearts. As a young boy, he always had pets and his love of animals followed him to adulthood where his dogs were treated as family.

Mike was a warrior as he survived two serious head injuries when he was a young adult, one from a motorcycle accident and another that left him in a month-long coma. Mike’s everyday struggles with the aftermath of these injuries did not diminish his family’s love for him.

Mike was retired from 30-plus years at Borg Warner (Holley) in Water Valley. He and his wife, Judy, had attended Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church. He graduated from Lafayette High School in Oxford and Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, please visit our website at www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.