Mills Edward Stratton was born on May 21, 1946 in Suffolk, Virginia to Richard and Frances (Duke) Stratton and died on Friday, October 16, 2009 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 63. 
Mills was a longtime resident of Durant. He is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State College with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in criminal justice. Mills married his first wife, Melvetta Lynn May in 1976 in Paris, Texas. She precedes him in death. 
Mills faithfully served in the United States Army as a medic. He fought in both the Korean War and spent two tours in Vietnam. He was very proud of his service time and he enjoyed reading military books and magazines. Mills also enjoyed watching television and was a huge John Wayne fan. He loved collecting things and many kinds of electronics. He was a member of the Cobb Baptist Church, he was a good man and he loved the Lord.

Mills was also preceded in death by his half brother H. C. Cole III. 

He is survived by his second wife, Wanda of Durant; a daughter Marissa Helm and husband Sean and their daughter Ashlyn of Chandler, Oklahoma; four stepchildren; stepfather Henry Cole Sr. of Wilburton, Oklahoma; two sisters Linda Standridge of Antlers, Oklahoma and Sandy Bozarth of Idabel, Oklahoma.