Binnie Elaine (Neal) Mills
Graveside services for Binnie Elaine (Neal) Mills, of Bennington, Okla., were held May 24, 2026 at Mills Family Cemetery in Soper. Binnie passed away May 18, 2026, at the age of 81.
Binnie Elaine (Neal) Mills was born Jan. 30, 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas, the daughter of Robert Arnold Neal and Mildred Irene (McAda) Neal. She most recently resided in Bennington, Okla. Elaine married William Donald Mills on Feb. 25, 1972 in Dallas, Texas, and together they raised six children while building a life defined by devotion to family, perseverance, and hard work. Elaine was an intelligent, resilient and disciplined woman who lived with purpose and quiet strength. She is most remembered for the deep love and devotion she showed toward her children and grandchildren, always ensuring they were cared for, encouraged, and guided throughout their lives.
Long before it was common for women to enter technical engineering fields, Elaine began her career during the 1960s as a software engineer at Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) in Grand Prairie, Texas. Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, she remained devoted to the same organization through multiple corporate transitions that ultimately became Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. Early in her career, Elaine developed software for guidance and control systems supporting major defense and aerospace programs, including the SCOUT Rocket, Patriot Missile Program, Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Army Tactical Missile System (ATacMS), ERINT, and PAC-3 missile defense systems. Through intelligence, resilience, and quiet determination, she steadily advanced through leadership roles and ultimately served as Director of Software and Electrical Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. Her accomplishments reflected not only exceptional professional ability, but also the courage and perseverance of a pioneering woman who helped open doors in an era when few women pursued such careers. Side by side with her husband, Elaine helped build the rock home in Texas where they raised their family. Throughout her life, she faithfully supported youth league baseball and football teams, helped clear and care for family land, installed miles of fencing, and assisted in managing the family’s cattle operations in Texas and southeast Oklahoma. She loved the outdoors, the native landscape, and the quiet satisfaction of building something meaningful alongside those she loved. Elaine possessed a deep affection for trees and especially enjoyed hiking national parks and experiencing the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Among the many joys she shared with her husband was planting pecan trees together –– a reflection of their shared belief in nurturing something lasting for future generations. Following William’s passing, Elaine continued caring for the family ranch and orchard, quietly carrying forward the roots of a legacy they built together through decades of perseverance, sacrifice, faith and love.
Elaine is survived by her sons: Robert Neal Mills of New York, William Mills II of Virginia, and Daniel Stihlman Mills and wife, Shawna of Oklahoma; daughters: Brenda Sawyer of Virginia, Melissa Mabardy and husband, LTC Mitchell Mabardy of Kansas, and Ashley Mills and husband, Zach Mills of Texas; 17 grandchildren including: Roya, Sawyer, Ariana, Sarah, Mitchell, Matthew, Emma, Abigail, Hannah, Christian, Leah, Barrett, Paris, Stihl, Evelyn, Elizabeth and Millie; six great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives, friends, and loved ones.
Along with her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, William Donald Mills, and her brother, Robert David Neal.
Bro. Tim Harless officiated the service, under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.
Paid Announcement
