[In Memoriam] James "Jim" Robert Mills, 57

The following obituary was originally published by Hall-Wynne Funeral Home:

James Robert “Jim” Mills, of Durham, North Carolina, died unexpectedly Friday, May 3. He was 57.

Born in 1966 in Raleigh, North Carolina, to John Wesley Mills and Shirley Curran Mills, Jim was the youngest of three boys. He began teaching himself to play the banjo at age 12. A graduate of Mill Brook High School, he pursued a career in bluegrass music, playing with groups such as Summer Wages, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Barry Poss with Sugarhill Records, The Bass Mountain Boys, Ricky Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder, Vince Gill, and Dolly Parton. He also released solo material. Jim performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. He won six International Bluegrass Music Association awards as banjo player of the year and six Grammy Awards. His album “Bound to Ride” won IBMA Instrumental Album of the Year.

Jim, nicknamed “Smilin’ Jim” for his joyful demeanor and infectious smile, also enjoyed hunting and skeet shooting. An authority on Gibson pre-war banjos, he published a book on the topic in 2009 and retired in 2010 to deal in rare banjos and guitars and to conduct seminars.

Jim’s death has shocked his family, friends, and fans. The family requests privacy.

Preceded in death by his parents; brothers Michael and Alan; and mother-in-law Linda Gregory Mills, he is survived by his wife, Kimberly; stepmother Mary “Annie” Roberts; father-in-law George Neil Mixon; brother-in-law Robert Mixon (Kate); and nieces Hannah and Emma.

A memorial service will be scheduled later.