Craig Mills

With deep love, we announce the passing of Richard "Craig" Mills, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who passed away on Aug 30, 2026 at age 76. A Memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Church of Christ on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street. The service will be live streamed via the Hillcrest Church of Christ website at www.hillcrestonline.com.  His family will carry his memory forward through the lessons, stories, and love he gave so generously.

Craig was born on January 24th, 1950 in Houston Texas to Tom and Faynette Mills. At the age of 17 Craig met Linda at a summer bowling league and then married her three years later on November 13, 1970. He moved his young family to Abilene in 1977 where he started practicing Chiropractic. During those early years his family enjoyed camping, tubing down the Rio Frio River, trips to Disney World and the Ozarks. In 2003 Craig and Linda built a river retreat in Boerne, Tx where their family spent many weekends relaxing in the Guadalupe River, playing Skipbo, puzzles, birdwatching and shopping. Through the years their retreat was shared by may friends and extended family. Linda and Craig made lifelong friends through their church, Hillcrest Church of Christ. He also played on the church's softball team for several years.

He taught his family the importance of faith and love of Christ and showing that love through kindness and laughter. He will be remembered for his encouragement, leadership, generosity, and the way he made friends wherever he went. As an Abilene Chiropractor for more than 20 years, he lent his healing touch to numerous patients, retiring only when his journey with Multiple Sclerosis made him unable to continue. As a man known for giving life lessons, he realized that having MS was his greatest lesson because he was able to finally thank God for the disease, knowing it had brought him closer and completely dependent on Christ alone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Faynette Mills.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter Kari Mills Melton and husband Tim of McKinney TX; daughter JoAnn Mills Barton and husband Tee of Abilene, TX; brother Tom Mills and wife Valerie of Lake Buchanan, TX; nephew Ryan Mills and wife Denise and children, Ethan and Katelyn of Montgomery, TX, nephew Trent Mills and wife Crystal and children Harper and Phoenix of Missouri City, TX; niece Terry Mills MacDonald and husband Darren of England; niece, Linda Drasler of Washington State; nephew Jonathan Donaway of Fort Worth, TX; granddaughters Abby Melton of Austin, Tx and Emma Melton of Houston, Tx, granddaughter Shelby Barton Coffee and husband JD, great-grandchildren Whitt, Webb, and Shelton Coffee of Albany.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Pregnancy Resources of Abilene at 2110 N. Willis, Ste A, Abilene, Tx. 79605