Wesley Page Mills

Wesley Page Mills passed away peacefully at his home on June 19, 2026, from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

Born on January 9, 1941, in Rockingham County, North Carolina, Wesley was the son of G.W. Mills, and Sally Ann Page Mills. Raised on a farm, he developed a lifelong love of farming, machinery, and auto repair that would shape both his career and his passions.

Wesley met the love of his life, Elizabeth Bailey Mills, while spending time with his best friend, who also happened to be her first cousin. The two were married on October 29, 1963, and happily kept their marriage a secret for a week before sharing the news with family and friends. Together they built a life centered on hard work and family, sharing 51 years of devoted marriage.

After beginning work in the textile mill industry, Wesley took a leap of faith and enrolled in the automotive mechanics program at Alamance Technical College. His first automotive job was with Atwater Ford in Burlington. After Atwater closed, he continued his career at Nichols Pontiac. In 1982, he once again stepped out on his own and built a repair shop at his home, founding Wesley Mills Repair. There he spent many years repairing automobiles and farm equipment for friends, neighbors, and customers throughout the community.

In December 1995, Wesley joined the Guilford County Sheriff Department as a prison guard at the Prison Farm in Gibsonville, where he primarily supervised the mowing crew. He remained there until his retirement in February 2004.

Farming was never simply a profession for Wesley—it was a way of life. He grew fresh vegetables throughout his life and sold produce at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market from 1963 until 2020. Many customers knew him for his exceptional Silver Queen corn and sweet potatoes.

Wesley was also an avid racing enthusiast and a Ford man through and through. Talladega was his favorite track, and beginning in 1972 he made annual trips to races there, continuing the tradition for decades. He enjoyed restoring, repairing, showing, and collecting antique vehicles and farm equipment. His love of racing led him and his brother- in-law to restore a 1972 Plymouth Road Runner that they raced for several years at local dirt tracks. His final restoration project was a 1948 Allis-Chalmers G tractor.

Travel was another of Wesley's great joys. He loved exploring America and drove through 48 continental states, as well as Canada and Mexico. One of his favorite adventures was his first airplane trip at age 75 to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to attend a large antique farm equipment show in Mount Pleasant.

Known for his gift of conversation, Wesley never met a stranger. He gladly shared stories, knowledge, and laughter with anyone willing to listen. Through his travels and racing adventures, he formed countless friendships, especially among friends in Alabama and Louisiana whom he looked forward to seeing each race season.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and his beloved wife, Elizabeth Bailey Mills. He is survived by his daughter, Jodi Mills, and her longtime boyfriend, Lee; his brother, Steve Mills (Carol); special niece, Jackie Starling; special nephew, Tim Starling (Beth); grandnephew, Seth Starling (Brittany); great-grandnephew, Allen Ray; honorary granddaughter, Taylor Dodd-Agosto (Devon); and great-granddaughter, McKinley Dodd-Agosto. He is also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. The family extends special thanks to Travis Caudle and Chelsea Jones, whom Wesley considered family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gospel Baptist Church, 6359 Osceola Ossipee Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249.

Wesley will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, his love of family, his passion for farming and racing, and the friendships he cultivated wherever life took him. His legacy lives on in the fields he farmed, the machines he restored, and the countless lives he touched along the way.