Birth date: Sep 20, 1939 Death date: Oct 19, 2020
Wayne Mills, age 81, of Leesburg, VA, passed away peacefully Monday, October 19, 2020, at his home. He was born, September 20, 1939 in Charlestown, West Virginia. Wayne was the son of the late Paul D. and Virginia M. (Hindman) Mi Read Obituary
Mr. Mills was also my 6th grade teacher at Lovettsville Elementary. I was a little apprehensive about having a male teacher. But it ended up being a very good year. I remember winning the spelling bee that year. He gave me a silver dollar which I still have. I saw him several times over the years. He always remembered me. I will always remember his impact. I am so sorry for your loss.
Peggy Dinterman
Wayne was one of the most respected colleagues in LCPS. I taught 4th grade at Sully under his leadership, and he was always supportive and caring of students, staff, and parents. In his own quiet way, he conveyed wisdom and leadership for countless educators, many of whom went on to be administrators. His influence lives on, and he will be missed by us all.
In 1992, I was hired by Mr. Mills and spent the next ten wonderful years of my teaching career under his guidance. I appreciated his support, care and love for all his teachers and students who passed through the walls of Rolling Ridge. I will always keep these cherished memories in my heart and look upon them often with warmth and kindness. This decade was a magical time in my professional career where learning was "fun" and "creative". Mr. Mills was always the last one to leave the building to make sure all of his staff members got home safe and secure. He was there for my marriage and new born son. He was a second father figure to me and earned the well deserved title of "papa Mills". He was highly respected to all in the community and amongst all his staff and students. Mr.Mills is loved and will be missed dearly. My heart is saddened by his passing and I will always look back on my memories of him with great fondness. Rest in peace Mr.Mills.
I worked with Wayne Mills for 23 years and he was such a gentle, kind and patient man.
Rolling Ridge Elementary and Wayne C Mills have meant so much to me and my family. We respected Mr. Mills' guidance regarding the education of our sons. He was intuitive and knew what was right not only for our children but for the children under his watch.
The Ridge was a place of learning for sure but it was also a place where the staff was like family. Lifelong friendships were made in an environment that was nurtured along by a principal that was a gentle and firm leader. After Mr. Mills retirement, he made the comment that now he could be friends with all his staff. He said it was the one thing that he didn't like about his job. He had to remain professional and stand back and watch the fun and get-togethers.
When he and I worked on the Wegmans Wednesday Group together, after his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with former staff that were his friends. Our monthly get togethers were a highlight for us all when Wayne would join us. His dry sense of humor and conversation were a source of many rounds of laughter!
In recent years, the get togethers came to a halt but we revived them for his 80th birthday surprise in September 2019. It was a very special Wegmans Wednesday and he was truly surprised. People came from far and wide for this special day. If it hadn't been for the pandemic and the untimely passing of his dear wife Susan, the group would still be getting together.
I'm just heartbroken that Mr. Mills has left us. He was a gentle giant that enjoyed being around his students. They respected him and his authority. I believe he cared about each and every student that came through the doors of Rolling Ridge and all the staff the he hired over the years...from the day the doors opened! He was one of a kind!
Rest in Peace Mr. Mills. I'll miss you.
Mr.Wayne C. Mills, Where do I start? When I graduated May 8, 1974 from college, I started at Sully on July 1, 1974. This was then the last year of year around schooling in Loudoun. In his humorist way he told me we already had a Jeff on staff and two in the kitchen may be one too many. For those of you who did not know Jeff Bull was our assistant principal.
Mr. Mills came to me and told me he was going to open the new school Rolling Ridge and he was taking me with him. I asked if I could do 1/2 day at Sully and 1/2 day at Rolling Ridge and he said no, Thus end of story.
We had such fun at the Book Barn sale for many years and the conversations that came up as people came to the barn to purchase books. You could not make up some of these things. One of our biggest laugh was when I was explaining to him how one day Mrs. Roberts our librarian at Sully asked me where I ate lunch because I did not eat in the teachers lounge. I told her I went out to Jack-in-the-box right down the street. Mrs. Roberts response was we can not leave campus. I explained to Mrs. Roberts and Mr. Mills that I thought that we as teachers were professionals and other professionals got to go out to lunch. See how much I knew. He laughed so hard tears started to run down his face.
There are many, many more stories like these but to tell the truth, it's been difficult writing what I had done thus far. We know he is in a better place, RIP Mr. Wayne C. Mills
Jeff Jackson
Mr. Mills was the kind of man who was a thinker. He always had your back. I remember asking him for a computer in the art room back when they were just coming into the classrooms. Kiddingly, he said”What do you need a computer for in art? Are you just going to play games on it all day long 😁. I explained seriously what I wanted to do. He said no he didn’t think so. The next day I had a brand new computer in my classroom. I was so happy I co- wrote a grant with another teacher. We were awarded 2 grants and we used the computer:)
He is the best leader I have ever worked under and I would follow him anywhere. I have a nice photo of him holding my newborn daughter in 1995. I brought her to Rolling Ridge for everyone to meet. She is now 25 and working on her Ph.D. We all love you Mr. Mills and have such good memories. The respect is sincere. You will be missed and remembered.
So grateful to have taught under such an amazing principal. I will always remember his humor and smiles at the lunch table. He had a lasting impact on so many people, especially me. He will be missed greatly! My sincerest sympathy to his family.
Wayne Mills was one of those rare individuals who walk into your life and never leave. His gift of seeing the best in every person he ever encountered made such an impression on me! His love to teach the young people in Loudoun County was so evident and he always took time to listen to someone when they wanted to talk, be it a student, parent, educator, or anyone he crossed paths with. I know he is happy to be reunited with his lovely wife who we also miss so much. Help light our way when we need it.
Mr. Mills- you made a huge impression on me at Rolling Ridge. You were a caring principal. Now you are with your wife watching down on the kids you had a chance to help along the way!
