Official Publication of The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons of North Carolina
Oxford, North Carolina 27565, April, 1974
VOL. XCIX, No. 4
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR
This Is Our New Grand Master
It is not easy to box William Lee Mills, Jr.,
into a few biographical paragraphs. This
man’s consistent growth as a lawyer, civic
leader, patriot — and as a human being —
keeps him flexible. Just as the pattern seems
set, new facets of character and achievement
break the existing mold. It has always been
so.
Son of the late William L. Mills and Alice
Litaker Mills, Bill was born on September 21,
1914, the eldest of eight children. After grad
uating in 1931 from Cabarrus County
Schools, he was employed with Cannon Mills,
Plant 1, in Kannapolis. At the same time, he
continued his education in secretarial and
commercial training. By 193'6, Mills was rec
ognized as a leader, having become assistant
overseer of the Cannon Mills Sheet Depart
ment. This same year he was married to Miss
Erin Morris of Thomson, Georgia.
In 1941, the United States entered into
World War II and in 1942 William L. Mills,
Jr., was inducted into the Army.
Chosen for Officer’s Candidate School, he
received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant
at Fort Benning, Georgia, in January, 1943.
In January, 1944, the now 1st Lieutenant
Mills was shipped to England in time to take
part in the June 6 “D-Day” invasion of
France. Just one week after his arrival on the
Normandy coast, Mills was wounded. He re
ceived the Purple Heart Medal, was promoted
to Captain and returned to his fighting unit
in France in August, 1944.
On October 14, 1944, in the Seigfried Line,
Captain Mills was again wounded, suffering
the loss of a leg while aiding a companion
just injured in a similar explosion. In recog
nition of his gallantry, Mills received the
Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor with
Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart with Oak
Leaf Cluster, Commendation Medal, Combat
Infantryman’s Badge, ETO Medal with an
arrowhead for the invasion of Normandy, and
three campaign stars. On September 29, 1946,
(Continued On Page Two)
WILLIAM LEE MILLS, JR.
Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina, 1974-1975
During the closing days of its 1974 ses
sion the North Carolina General Assembly
enacted legislation which exempts Mason
ic lodges and certain other organizations
from the payment of ad valorem taxes.