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1933 William "Bill" 2023

William "Bill" Mims Neill

September 4, 1933 — January 1, 2023

William "Bill" Mims Neill passed away peacefully on January 1, 2023 at the Rio Rancho Center while undergoing Compassus Hospice care.

Bill was born September 4, 1933 to Robert Keith Neill and Bertice Mims Allen Neill in Carthage, Mississippi. He enlisted in the Navy in 1951 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  This was at the beginning of the Korean War.  Bill served in the Navy for five years aboard a supply ship sailing back and forth from Japan and the Philippines to South Korea.  After the war, he worked for many years as a cameraman for the Channel 7 TV station in Phoenix, Arizona.

He was married twice.  He married Mildred "Mel" Dewey Clair in January 1977 in Yuma, Arizona.  Mel died in February 1997.  Bill married Joan Barbara Young on September 14, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona.  Joan died in April 2006.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, both of his wives, his younger brother Stanley Allen Neill, his nephew James Keith Neill, and his cousin Walter Dow "D D" Roberts.  He is survived by his sister-in-law Barbara Wamble Neill of Memphis, Tennessee, nephew David Neill of Louisville, Kentucky, niece Trish Neill White (Jeff) of Canton Georgia, and cousins Frank Waggoner (Tracy) of Gainesville, Georgia, Marianne Granoff (Michael Wheeler) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tom Manley (Elizabeth) of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Carole Roberts of Belzoni, Mississippi, and Ronnie Roberts (Scarlett) of Belzoni, Mississippi.

Bill moved from Phoenix to Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 2014.  He had many friends among the staff and residents of the Avamere Assisted Living facility on Riverview Drive.  He will be remembered most by his friends and family for his favorite answer when asked by anyone, "How are you today, Bill?"  He would place his fist over his heart and say, "A kicking and a ticking!"  He will be missed by all.

No services will be held at this time.  The family will hold a memorial service for Bill later in the year.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William "Bill" Mims Neill, please visit our flower store.

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