James Ray Sills passed away on Wednesday May 29, 2024 at age 73. He was born on January 25, 1951 in Oma, MS to Mosby Sills and Ruth Bass.

James worked hard for a better life and became the first person in his family to attend college. He was so proud of that accomplishment and encouraged all of his children to work hard in their academics and earn an advanced education. He graduated from Co-Lin where he also played football and later from Millsaps College. He loved Millsaps!

James became a medical laboratory technologist and first worked for St Dominic in Jackson before moving to Lawrence County Hospital where he worked for many years. He made lifelong friends at LCH and kept in touch with many after moving to Utah. He still frequently talked about his time in the lab. The staff at Lawrence County Hospital were an extension of family to James, as were many of his lab coworkers at Intermountain Health in Utah where he was a regional lab manager and consultant for over 25 years before retiring in 2018.

James married Muriel Sullivan of Shivers, MS on September 5, 1976 and they had 3 children; Sarah, Jason, and Lindsey. They built a home in Shivers where they lived until 1992 when they decided to have a grand adventure and move the family to Utah for a few years. That move to Utah turned out to be a permanent new home and the kids flourished in their new surroundings and eventually made their own homes in Utah. The children grew up, as they tend to do, and James missed their time in Shivers when the kids were young. He always wanted to go back to that time and place.

James deeply loved his grandchildren, Sarah's children, and he left them with many memories of adventures with Papaw. He especially loved taking them to Wheeler Farm to feed the ducks. They have missed him since he moved to Mississippi. He mentioned just last week how thankful he was to have been able to meet his great-granddaughter, Kaleb's daughter, Octavia.

James fulfilled his dream of moving back to Mississippi after retirement but often spoke of missing Utah too. He had hoped to make one more trip but the ravages of kidney failure had other plans.

James was a talented water color artist. His art hung in a gallery in Brandon, MS years ago and now hangs on the walls of various family member's homes.

James was loved by so many. He was friendly, welcoming, and often generous with those in need. He never forgot his humble beginnings and never lost sight of where he came from. He loved cornflakes, long scenic drives, having a fresh shave, and cold diet soda over crushed ice.

James was proceeded in death by his wife, Muriel Sullivan; his parents, Mosby Sills and Ruth Bass; and many brothers and sisters including Earl, Nell, Dell, Ella Ree, George, Ted, and Grace. He is survived by his children, Sarah Barton (Jeremy) of West Point, Utah; Jason Sills (Staci) of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Lindsey Sills (Jacque) of Logan, Utah. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kaleb (Isabella), Hannah, Olivia (Aaron), and Hope Barton, and 1 great-grandchild (Octavia). James loved his sisters that he also left behind, Myrtle Page (Garland) of Hazelhurst and Ann Walker of Monticello.

James' children are planning a celebration of his life in Mississippi at a date to be determined soon and announced in the local paper. He will be cremated per his wishes and buried in Peacock Cemetery in Shivers next to Muriel.