James L. Mills, 74, of Walton passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 11, at the home on Lower Third Brook Road that he and his wife, Janice, had shared since 1963.

The little house changed and grew over the years, through Jim's own sweat and toil, from humble beginnings to a tidy homeplace. He and Janice raised two sons there, and in the adjacent garage Jim repaired or restored more cars and trucks than even he could remember.

Jim was born May 9, 1942, in Sanford, NY, the sixth of Wesley and Mary (Sterling) Mills' 10 children. The family lived in Rock Rift and McClure before eventually settling in Walton in a house on Munn Street. Jim graduated from Walton High in 1960, and he married Janice Barnes of Sidney on September 28, 1963.

Jim was a self-made man blessed with an inquisitive, clever mind and rugged, skillful hands. He grew up poor and learned to cope. If he needed something and didn't have it, then he built it himself with whatever he could find. He was a self-taught carpenter, plumber and electrician, a man who could do almost anything he put his mind to.

He was strong and tough, a devoted husband and father. He loved bad jokes and good diners, black coffee and green grass, the woods where he hunted and the waters where he fished.

He was a mechanic at the Walton Central School bus garage for 14 years. His knowledge and skills led to his next job as a bus inspector for the New York State Dept. Of Transportation. He retired from the DOT as the Region 2 Supervisor in 2001.

In retirement, he restored antique automobiles in his free time. He loved Mopar muscle cars, and over the years his garage was home to several projects – including Plymouth Barracuda, Fury and GTX models, a Dodge Challenger and even a Dodge Rampage.

Jim's favorite was a red 1967 GTX with a big-block V-8 and a four-speed transmission, similar to the first brand-new car he ever bought. He was a frequent winner at car shows, although he didn't give a hoot about trophies.

He liked talking to people, and he eagerly shared his knowledge and know-how with the many friends and acquaintances he made in his lifetime. He was always willing pitch in and help people with any kind of project, big or small.

Jim is survived by his loving family, his wife of 52 years, Janice, two sons, Jeffery and Kim Mills of Greensboro, NC, and Joseph and Erin Mills of Apex, NC; grandchildren, Hannah, Caleb and Griffin; sisters, Helen Weidhaas of TN, Martha and Robert Wetzel of FL, Joan and Marty Whelan of VA, Lila and Alleyn Rossomando of AZ and one brother, Robert Mills of FL; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Betty Mills of Champlain; Delores and Ed Wilson, Joyce Barnes, Eddie and Mary Barnes, and Dick Barnes, all of Sidney; and Barbara Cawley and her fiance Roger Schmidt of Bainbridge; several nieces, nephews and cousins; special friends Chris Voorhies, Hazzie and Sue Quick and Buddy Gibson; and good neighbor Jack Alvarez.

Jim was predeceased by his parents; a brother, David; sisters Lois Harris, Jean Decker and Ruth Helmer; brothers-in-law, Don Weidhaas, Milton "Barney" Barnes and Ray Cawley; and a sister-in-law, Pat Barnes.

Friends who would like to call on the family are invited to an informal, drop-in celebration of Jim's life at his home Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Per Jim's wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. Arrangements are with Courtney Funeral Home, Walton.

Memorial contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Walton EMS, 61 West St., Walton, NY 13856, as a thank-you for their exceptional efforts.