Fred "Pete" Mills closed the door on a 27 1/2 - year career at Sylva's ABC store when he retired on Friday, Feb. 28. - Herald photo by Rose Hooper
"A lot of customers are sure going to miss him," co-workers agreed when asked about Fred "Pete" Mills, who retired after 27 1/2 years at the Sylva ABC store. Wishing him well Friday, Feb. 28, during his last day on the job, customers referred to Mills as "unassuming, but affable," "always willing to help" and "a super nice guy." ABC Store General Manager Peggy Queen called Mills a "loyal employee - always here when he needed to be." Co-worker Wayne Powell said, "Pete's a good fellow, a hard worker, and he's been a real friend to me." Next door at Bob's Package Store, Tisha Smith said she, too, will miss "one of the better people you will ever meet." After 27 1/2 years on the job, Mills, chief store clerk, knows a lot about the state's liquor business. And as far as Sylva's tastes run, George Dickel Tennessee Sour Mash Whisky is the best seller, he noted. Mills wouldn't classify his job as "exciting," although he said it "has been interesting." There have been times he's been kicked at and cussed out by intoxicated customers, but Mills took it in stride. "We couldn't sell to anybody who is drunk, and if somebody was drunk and I told them I couldn't sell them a bottle, they tended to get kind of angry at me," he said, in his quiet, calm manner. In retirement he plans to spend more time outdoors - fishing, he hopes. "I'm big on fishing, but not much on hunting; I don't like to kill animals," he said. Meanwhile, wife Floyie has a "honey do" list waiting that includes cleaning the deck and changing the oil in the car. "I've been raking leaves for the past two days," Mills said Monday (March 3) about the couple's home on Fisher Creek. "I may take a part-time job," he said, indicating he had received several offers. One thing's for sure, though. "Pa," as they call him, plans to spend more time with his grandchildren, Adam and Lauren, and great-grandson, Taylor. |