Obituary: William Henry Mullis II

January 28, 1957 – April 14, 2024

William Henry Mullis II, 67, of Mitchell, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital.

He was born January 28, 1957, in Bedford, the son of William Henry and Ruth Ann (Scott) Mullis. He married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Jane Barlow, on July 29, 1978, and she survives.

Bill was raised in Mitchell, Indiana, and had a wonderful childhood in the 1960s, playing baseball and football, riding his bike, and tormenting his sisters, Sheila, Sharon, and Susan.  Bill excelled academically, graduating as Valedictorian of the Mitchell High School cCass of 1975.  He went to Indiana University, graduating with honors in 1979 with Computer Science and Forensic Studies degrees. 

After college, Bill entered the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.  In 1982 Bill was awarded an Army Funded Legal Education Program scholarship to attend the law school of his choice, Baylor University in Waco, Texas.  Upon Law School graduation in 1985, Bill was then a Judge Advocate General Attorney Officer for the U.S. Army, serving until 1991 before leaving for the Law Offices of Fine and Hatfield in Evansville.  Here, Bill and Cindy raised their children.  Bill coached baseball teams, attended his daughter’s piano and dance recitals, and thoroughly enjoyed being a dad. 

As a Christian since the age of 19, Bill has loved serving God and became a church deacon and leader, serving at churches in Evansville and, in later years, in Mitchell.  In late 2000, Bill acted upon his dream to open his private law practice in his hometown of Mitchell.  Upon moving to Mitchell, Bill served on the Lawrence County Community Foundation Board and the Mitchell Community Library Board, acted as Mitchell’s city attorney, and served his church as a Deacon. 

Bill loved sports, especially IU games and Baylor football. He and Cindy also loved travel and did so extensively in the U.S. and Caribbean, including several trips to the United Kingdom, Europe, Israel, and Scandinavia.

Bill’s favorite pastimes were his darling grandchildren. Attending their many activities, playing sports, checkers, and board games, or just watching them play gave him great joy.

Even though his health problems slowed him down, he never lost his joy.

Surviving are his wife, Cynthia Jane Mullis of Mitchell; children, Christopher Barlow (Rachel) Mullis of Plainfield and Cassandra Rose (Jarrod) McIntire of New Salisbury; grandchildren, Gavin, Cooper, Olive, Emmeline, and Stellan; mother, Ruth Ann Mullis of Mitchell; and siblings, Sheila Moore of Mitchell, Sharon Gerkin of Mitchell, and Bradley (Christa) Mullis of Mitchell.

His father and sister, Susan Hardman, preceded him in death.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 18, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Pastor Roger Allen officiating.  Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107.  Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and from 10:00 a.m. until the service on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Bill’s memory to Spice Valley Baptist Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com.