SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 44
(By Senators Wooton, Bailey, Jackson, Caldwell, Facemyer,
Fanning, Ross, Sprouse and Tomblin, Mr. President)
Memorializing the life of Okey Mills, former Raleigh County
Sheriff, Sergeant at Arms of the House of Delegates and
distinguished West Virginian.
Whereas, Okey Mills was born March 3, 1915, in Sweeneysburg,
Raleigh County; and
Whereas, Okey Mills was a 1932 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High
School and was in the first two-year graduating class at Beckley
College, where he played basketball; and
Whereas, Okey Mills excelled in baseball. As a centerfielder
and pitcher in the old Coalfield League, he drew the attention of
professional baseball scouts. He continued to play baseball most
of his life and pitched in the Raleigh County League when he was in
his sixties; and
Whereas, Okey Mills served his nation with pride and
distinction in the United States Army and was twice the recipient
of the Purple Heart, one of which he earned after being wounded in
the Battle of the Bulge. He served in the 508th Parachute Regiment
of the 82nd Airborne Division, with his first jump being over the
French coast during the Normandy Invasion; and
Whereas, Okey Mills was also involved in Operation Market
Garden. It was the largest airborne operation in history and
occurred in Holland in 1944. This heroic operation was dramatized
in the movie The Longest Day; and
Whereas, Following his military service, Okey Mills became the
youngest jailer in the history of Raleigh County; and
Whereas, In 1948, Okey Mills was elected to his first term as
Sheriff of Raleigh County; and
Whereas, In 1953, Okey Mills was elected as the thirty-ninth
Sergeant at Arms of the House of Delegates; and
Whereas, In 1955, Okey Mills served as a safety inspector for
the Department of Mines; and
Whereas, In 1956, Okey Mills was elected to his second term as
Raleigh County Sheriff. He was reelected in 1964, 1972 and 1976.
He is the only West Virginian ever elected sheriff for five terms;
and
Whereas, Okey Mills was actively involved in his community
through his participation in myriad civic clubs and organizations;
and
Whereas, Sadly, the long and influential life of Okey Mills
came to end when he passed away on January 2, 2001, at the age of
85; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby memorializes the life and public
service of Okey Mills, former Raleigh County Sheriff, Sergeant at
Arms of the House of Delegates and distinguished West Virginian;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of the
late Okey Mills.