Joe Mills with his dad, Clarence
Clarence Mills of Brohard says he played the mandolin for 78 years, starting at age 14.
Mills, a fixture in the Brohard-Munday community, died yesterday at the age of 92.
"Clarence was one of the best people I ever had the pleasure to meet," said Al Hogan of Al's Barn and Helping Hands Ministry.
"Many years ago when I moved to Munday, one of the first people I met was Clarence Mills. He asked me to join him, Willard Jones, Herb Smith and others to play music at all kinds of events and fundraisers," said Hogan.
"These good old fellers inspired me into building Al's Barn, their hearts bigger than gold," he said, "They helped teach me to help others freely."
Family and friends gather to make music for Clarence's 90th birthday
Mills was a member of the Bell Chapel Methodist Church, having served as Sunday School superintendent. He was a veteran of WWII, 328rd Field Artillery Battalion, serving in N. Africa, Italy, and Germany.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edith Rose Mills; children, Joe and Wendy Mills of Brohard,WV; Bonnie and Jim Cheeseman of Parkersburg WV; Chuck and Marilyn Mills of Brohard WV; Linda Parsons of McFarland WV.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother Conard Mills and two sisters, Goldie Roberts and Leafy Phillips and grandson John Lemon.
Services will be at 11 am Monday at Matheny Whited Funeral Home of Elizabeth with the Rev. Robert Stanley officiating.
Interment will be at Belt Cemetery on Rock Run off Munday Road. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Sunday February 1, 2009 and until time of services on Monday at the funeral home. | 
