Mildred “Millie” Kathryn Hills Utley, 80, of Florence, Alabama, died on Thursday, January 22, after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, SFC Raymond Utley, son, Anthony “Tony” Utley, sisters Opal Thompson, Betty Ruth Hills, brother Raymond Hills, and companion, Coy Woods.
Services will be Sunday, January 25 at 2:00 P.M. at Colbert Memorial Chapel with burial in Poplar Creek Cemetery in Colbert County. The body will be placed in the chapel one hour before services. Officiating will be Rev Chris Montgomery.
Mrs. Utley was born September 16, 1934, in Florence, AL to Ethel and Willie Hills. She married in 1955, and traveled the world with her husband in the U.S. Army. She lived in Germany, Panama, Thailand and New York. From 1967 – 1972, Mrs. Utley assisted her husband in managing the NCO Army Club in Bangkok. She loved entertaining, attending formal events, and dancing.
Upon her husband’s retirement, Mrs. Utley returned to Florence and received her GED and Nurses Aide certificate in 1981. She worked at ECM Hospital, and assisted at Food Service Training School.
She was a member of Edgemont United Methodist Church for almost 30 years.
She is survived by daughter, Beverly Diane Ayers (Roger), brother, Jimmie Hills (Barbara), grandchildren Sharla Horton, Kasey Utley, Josh Utley, Cody Ayers, and great-grandchildren Harley, Haylee, and Lacey.
Pallbearers will be Roger Ayers, Josh Utley, Cody Ayers, Wayne Utley, Logan Ayers, and Daniel Horton.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Ronald McCoy and staff, Columbia Cottage, Southern Care Hospice, Bank Independent Darby Drive Branch, Tobacco Cabin, Frankfort Missionary Baptist Church, Bonnie Cherry, Judie Murphy, Jeff Woods, Shayla Burney, and Virginia Bolton.
Memorials may be made to Edgemont United Methodist Church, 1330 Eauclaire Ave, Florence, AL 36530.
