Robert Bills

Rev. Robert J. Bills, 99, was carried home by chariot, Sunday, February 20, 2011. Born June 23, 1911 in Topeka, Kansas, Bob was adopted in 1913 by his late parents James and Alice Bills. As a young boy, his favorite day of the week was Sunday, a full day of Christian fellowship. This led him to a ministerial call at an early age. He attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma and was ordained as a Disciple of Christ. He earned an S.T.B in theology from Boston University. He proudly served his country as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army during World War II in Burma and the South Pacific. Upon his return from the war, Bob served in churches in Uxbridge, Haverhill, and Sandwich, MA, St Albans, VT, Meriden, CT, and as an interim pastor in Wethersfield and Talcottville, CT. Rev. Bills was employed by the State of Connecticut as a correctional counselor in the prison system in Somers, CT. Upon his retirement, he joined the staff of Center Congregational Church in Manchester, CT as the minister of visitation. Throughout his ministry, Bob was active in civil rights and social justice issues. He touched many lives and his mark will continue in those he's left behind. Following his retirement in 1987 he moved to Florida until 2005 when he returned to Connecticut and ultimately to Vernon Manor Healthcare Center where he was loved and well cared for by the staff there. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Louise Hodge Bills, in 1991and his wife of 10 years, Mildred Bills. He is survived by two daughters, Susan Leavitt and her husband, John, of Ashford, CT, and Ivy Farinella of South Windsor, CT; and his four grandchildren, Cory Farinella, Coriana Farinella, Robert Tupper, and Tara Tupper Hollander. He also was privileged to have four great-grandchildren, Orange and Ocean Farinella, and Benjamin and Rebekah Tupper. A memorial service will be held at the Wapping Community Church, 1790 Ellington Rd., South Windsor, CT on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 11 A.M. Burial will be held privately. Memorial donations may be sent to the Pension Board of the United Church of Christ for retired ministers and their widows (www.pbucc.org). Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT, has care of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com