Hayden Charles Lee Mills

Nov 11, 2002 -

Jun 18, 2022

Hayden Mills, 19, passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. He was born on Nov. 11, 2002, to parents David Randal Mills and Aimee Linnea Mills in Anchorage.

Hayden attended Grace Christian School from kindergarten through sixth grade; Golden View Middle School, South Anchorage High School and King Tech High School; and graduated from Raven Home School in May 2021. Attending King Tech High School and learning in the auto mechanic program was the highlight and joy of his high school years.

Hayden loved working on cars and enjoyed working at Lithia Auto Body before he was fortunate to be hired as a deck hand for an ocean charter service out of Ninilchik. Fishing and being outdoors was Hayden's greatest love and he was happiest when he was out on the water. He most recently started working at the Bait Shack at Ship Creek in Anchorage, where he loved helping people with rental equipment, baiting hooks, fileting fish and assisting customers.

Hayden lived a full, adventurous life, but it was cut far too short for him to fulfill his many hopes and dreams. He was working toward his captain's license, and he looked forward to the future with big ideas and plans. Hayden was a very loyal friend, the kind who always put others first and would drop everything to help someone who needed him. He was a kind, caring, tender-hearted and sensitive "old soul," and he was also happy-go-lucky, goofy and funny. His favorite person was his brother Carter, who he loved so very much.

Hayden loved fishing, hunting and going with his family to their cabin near the Kenai River. He and his friend, Nick, fished together for years - from ice fishing at Long Lake, to river fishing at his favorite holes on the Kenai, and sharing a trailer while they were deck hands together on the Cook Inlet out of Deep Creek. Hayden also had plans to travel to different places to catch fish local to the areas. He played hockey as a child and still loved going to different sporting events when he was on vacation. He loved to travel with his grandparents, visit national parks and practice photography. One of his favorite things to do was to work in the greenhouse with his Mema, and he loved to go to his Papa's marathons and cheer him on from the sidelines. He loved doing arts and crafts with his Gramma Mary and recently enjoyed golfing with his Papa Jack. He was very interested in cars, rebuilding engines and auto body. He loved being at his family's cabin, fishing and hunting with his dad, brother and friends, driving their boat on the Kenai River. Hayden enjoyed discussing politics, learning about the stock market and was very interested in his family's genealogy.

Hayden's thoughtfulness was shared in meaningful ways, and he valued the relationships in his life. Just one of many examples was how he loved to visit his former teachers from Grace Christian School during his teenage years, just to say hello.

Hayden had a very special relationship with both of his parents, who loved him deeply and unconditionally. Family was very important to Hayden, and he deeply loved all his aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

He is survived by his parents, David Randal Mills and Aimee Linnea Mills; grandparents, Chuck and Sue Harvey of Anchorage and Jack and Mary Mills of St. George, Utah; and brother, Carter Davis Mills of Anchorage.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Rabbit Creek Church, 3401 Rabbit Creek Road, Anchorage, AK 99516, on Monday, June 27, 2022, beginning at 2 p.m. Officiated by Mr. Chris Gionet, principal of Anchorage Christian School.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Alaska's Healing Hearts in Hayden's honor. Alaska's Healing Hearts is a local nonprofit organization that helps heal wounded warriors through Alaska outdoor experiences, including fishing. As a patriotic American, he loved that he was born on Veterans Day and Hayden would love to support veterans through his favorite past time: Alaska's Healing Hearts, P.O. Box 876061, Wasilla, AK 99687 or https://www.alaskashealinghearts.com/ways-to-donate.