Len Mills

Len Mills, 84, was born at Miller Creek, near Price, Utah, on April 12, 1941. He is the son of Ruben Horsely and Lorna (Sudweeks) Mills. Len grew up with his five siblings ( 6 kids total), and much later in life, met five additional siblings who were from Ruben’s first marriage. Len spent his early life in Elmo and Cleveland, Utah, where his dad was a sharecropper. 

For reasons related to his dad’s health, the family moved to Kingston, Utah, where Len joined his new 3rd-grade classmates (in Junction) on his 9th birthday.

As the family settled into their new surroundings, his dad worked for a short period of time, but unfortunately, by October, his dad succumbed to cancer. This pivotal defining moment left a heavy burden on Len’s mom as she raised five kids with very limited means. Later in life, Len had a reputation for being frugal, but he experienced firsthand what it was like to have to go without. Len’s mom gave everything she had to her kids, and Len is eternally grateful to his mom for her sacrifice.

Len attended Piute High School in Circleville, where he graduated as a Chieftain. Prior to graduating from high school, Len started working in Salt Lake City for Gibbons and Reed Construction Company. Because of his strong work ethic, he quickly moved from laborer to teamster/truck driver and then to an operator, where he ran his own crew. In 1961, Len met the most beautiful woman ever! Len and Deanna were married on August 19, 1961, and later sealed in the St. George Temple on April 13, 1963. Deanna is the love of his life.

As their family started to grow, Len moved the family from the Wasatch Front to Kingston and continued working seasonal construction jobs for Gibbons and Reed. In 1969, Len pursued a full-time work opportunity with UDOT, which would keep him close to home. Len took this job seriously and developed a reputation for dependability. He was well known for his ability to operate heavy equipment. Working for UDOT was his stock and trade, and he gave it his full efforts for 33 ½ years – serving as station supervisor for over 15 of those years. Whenever possible, he would blend being a great dad with his work by having his boys ride alongside him in a massive road grader while drying a windrow, or pushing snow late into the night, or walking them through the road shed to show them around.

Outside of work, Len was involved in the community. He coached bantam basketball, little league baseball, and was involved with scouting. He was a member of the Piute County Jeep Posse and served two terms as mayor of Kingston. He maintained bees, harvested honey, and typically kept a few livestock around to look after. Len was also an avid gardener with many successful growing seasons. Len developed a strong testimony of his Savior as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings throughout his life, including as bishop in Kingston for 3 years and then an additional 2 years in the newly created Circleville 2nd ward. Len enjoyed serving, and in 2006, Len and Deanna served as missionaries in St. George, Utah. This fulfilled their goal to have the entire family serve as missionaries.

Len would be the first person to recognize that he has been blessed. He also lived his life in a way that blessed so many people around him. Undoubtedly, his biggest impact was on his five sons, where he was an exemplary father despite losing his dad at age 9. We will miss his love and support and his endless pursuit of humor. We could really use a drink of Kingston water and one of Dad’s classically dry jokes right about now.

Len was preceded in death by his wife, Deanna Mills. 
He is survived by their five sons, Troy (Sandy), Elsinore; Dan (Debbie), West Valley City; Randy (Lori), Vernal; Justin (Marisa), Vernal; Brandon (Michele), Pleasant Grove; 22 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. 
Also preceded in death by his Parents, two siblings, and his grandson, Bryan Mills.

The family would like to express their love and appreciation to everyone who has helped in any way.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11:00 am in the Circleville 2nd Ward Chapel. 
A viewing will be held prior to services from 9:00 - 10:30 am at the church.
Internment will be in the Kingston Cemetery
Funeral Directors Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti