While life on the farm was steady, Maury had a plan to make it to the big city.  He was a talented musician that loved tickling the ivory keys.  During his youth, his parents drove him to piano lessons sometimes up to three times a week in addition to a long drive to Oklahoma City once a week.  This talent would last with him during his career – always taking the opportunity to play for a crowd upon request.  He also loved to travel.  Thankfully for Maury being in sales allowed him the opportunity to not only travel extensively to almost every state in the United States but to many international countries as well including Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Japan, China, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai just to name a few.  Maury made it to the big city so far from that little farm in Wayne, OK.  It also should be mentioned that, well it was no secret, Maury loved cars.  From the time of his youth, Maury was a car guy.  He loved to read about cars in any magazine he could get his hands on. He loved to attend car shows and go look at cars every Sunday on the car lot to dream about that next cool ride that he would have in his driveway.  He would never pass on an opportunity to take you for a ride in whatever vehicle he had at the time to show how it could go very fast and, depending if the vehicle was convertible, hopefully you were prepared to be cruising with the top down.

Maury’s career began in 1972 in the valve manufacturing industry in Norman, OK.  This path chosen by Maury would span almost fifty years. From starting out as a local draftsman for a local valve manufacturer in Norman, OK in the early 70’s, he would later be introduced and promoted into sales which he excelled.  Maury took that opportunity to make his mark in a very successful career in valve manufacturing for the oil and gas industry.  Over the span of his career as Vice President of Sales, Director of Marketing, and President for various leading valve manufacturers, in his drive for his own success, Maury also had a profound positive influence on the people he worked with.  Simply put, Maury was a first class guy that one doesn’t come across too often.  A great mentor to many in the valve industry, he touched many lives around him, influencing others to enjoy success in the same career path as he did.

Most important to Maury were his children.  He was a very loving father that was proud of all four children throughout his lifetime.  Maury, also a very proud “Pappy”, loved to show off photos of all his twelve grandkids and two great-grandkids to everyone.

Maury is preceded death by his parents, Everett and Daisy Mills, and his oldest brother Billy Mills.

Survivors include his brother, Terry and wife Patti Mills of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Martha and husband Ryan Stramp of Anchorage, Alaska; four children, James and wife Shelly Mills of Payne, OK, Eric and wife Jennifer Mills of Tulsa, OK, Jason and wife Melissa Mills of Wayne, OK, Tamara and husband Nat Alvarado of Payne, Ok; 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Upon his wishes, there will be a small private family memorial. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make donations to the American Heart Association in his honor, or if you prefer and would like to send a card to the family, please forward to the Maury Mills Family c/o Miller Funeral Services 7723 Beechnut Houston, Texas 77074

Online condolences may be made in the ‘Reflections’ area below on this page.

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