Eugene "Gene" Etchison Mills, III

Eugene Etchison Mills, III, 52, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Hagerstown, Maryland. Born to Donna Darlene (Stotler) Wiles and the late, Eugene Etchison Mills, Jr.

Gene was always the farm kid at heart and loved being outside in the country. He grew up in the small country town of Adamstown, Maryland, then later moved to Hagerstown to reside. He had a love for his family, his country, his heritage, and animals of all kinds. Gene had the kindest heart and would do anything to help anyone, even those who would go on to take advantage of his nature. Gene was a great storyteller and always had some fantastical tales to lay out before you, some true, some just for the entertainment factor and some that you just were not quite sure of. He was a lover of the civil war, and if you were there at just the right time, he would tell you how he was there. He was also a fan of ghost stories, history, Halloween, and country music. Growing up you can bet you would be surrounded by Hank Williams, Jr's, “A Country Boy Can Survive” and “All My Rowdy Friends” if he had access to a boom box. The love he had for his family was beyond measure, especially for his nieces and nephews. Of course, they heard most of his tales and stories from being in the civil war, being a member of the guardians of the galaxy, to the ringleader of the My Little Pony gang, or how his wolf tattoo turned him into a werewolf as he howled at the moon. If you were lucky enough to be picked on or to hear his tales, he truly liked you and would always have your back. Gene could be a rascal, and we would have him no other way. We will never forget him driving the John Deer across state lines for beer runs or taking his niece down to the country store to flirt with the cashier. One day he took a trip around the world on Facebook all while hanging out in the tearoom in Frederick. As the statuses changed on Facebook, even members of his family thought he was on a grand trip. He was always the jokester. We will also never forget the voice messages he would leave as “your gorgeous son, brother or uncle”. He enjoyed bringing a smile to everyone and lending a hand where needed. Gene spent his time working in farming, mining, construction, and manufacturing areas. He was a hard worker with an ingrained work ethic that you just can’t find today.

Gene is survived by his mother: Donna Wiles; step-father: Maurice Wiles; sisters: Christina Constable (husband Wesley) and Brandi Kleimann; nieces and nephews: Amber Reese ( husband Brandon), Leighann Bellerive (husband Chandler), Tristen Flickinger, Alyssa Flickinger, and Samantha Kleimann; and great-nieces and nephews: Jaycen, Carson, Abel, Brantley, Colton, Dallas, Magnolia, and Dahlia.

In addition to his family listed, he is survived by his 2 favorite girls, Coco and Chanel, his puppy friends who he loved with all of his puppy heart.

We will miss seeing your face, hearing your laugh, listening in awe to your tales and grand adventures. Rest well son, brother, uncle and friend.

A funeral service will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Hagerstown, MD, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 11:00 A.M., with a one-hour visitation prior.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), in Gene's honor.