Douglas Culver Mills, 84, of Peoria, IL, and Jupiter, FL, formerly of Champaign, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 4:45 p.m. at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.
Doug was born on March 31, 1940, in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of Culver C. Mills and Betty Gene Balsley Mills, and was the eldest of three children.
As the son of two physical education teachers, Doug spent most of his time participating in anything sports-related and quickly honed his athletic skills. At Galesburg High School, Doug was an all-state athlete in both football and basketball and was named to the All-American Basketball Team his senior year. In Galesburg, he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Linda Morrison, on September 19, 1964. Prior to her death in 2006, Doug and Linda shared an incredible partnership and marriage of forty-two years. One of their favorite pastimes and hobbies was traveling extensively, which included a year abroad in Switzerland.
After graduating from Galesburg High School in 1958, Doug started at the University of Illinois on a football scholarship. After arriving on campus, Doug decided his love of basketball was too great and switched his scholarship, joining the basketball team and earning two letters as a guard for Harry Combes’ crew. His favorite basketball memories were playing against Bobby Knight and his NCAA champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Ironically, Doug had his greatest athletic success on the baseball diamond, playing for coach Lee Eilbracht. Doug was a two-time all-Big Ten pitcher from 1960-62, compiling an 18-1 record and leading the Illini to the 1962 Big Ten baseball title. He pitched a no-hitter against Wisconsin in 1961 and was named to the second-and third-team all-American honor squads in his final two seasons. Doug still ranks second in Illinois history in career-winning percentage as a pitcher. During his senior year, Doug rejoined the football team as the starting punter and backup fullback. Doug had a distinguished athletic career at the UI, becoming a three-sport letter winner, earning a total of six Varsity “I” letters in football (1), basketball (2), and baseball (3), and in 1962 was the Dike Eddleman Illinois Athlete of the Year recipient. Upon graduation, Doug was selected for the United States Pan American team and was the starting pitcher in the opening game against Cuba. He posted two wins in the Games as he and his American teammates captured the silver medal.
When he wasn’t on the field or court, Doug found time for both academics and social life. Doug was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, where he made friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Doug graduated from the University of Illinois in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. After spending a few years as a salesman for Mead Johnson & Company, Doug began his banking career in Chicago with American National Bank and Trust Company in June of 1965. With the help of a small group of investors, Doug seized an opportunity and purchased the controlling interest in Busey First National Bank, located in Urbana, IL, and was elected Chairman on March 29, 1971, two days prior to his 31st birthday. Doug took Busey from a one-branch bank with $40 million in assets in 1971 to a publicly traded company with operations in several states and over $4 billion in assets when he retired as CEO in 2007. One of his favorite memories was “Ringing the Bell” at the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Ceremony in 2007. Doug remained Chairman of the Board until 2009 and his philosophy was to always “Have fun doing it.” Treating friends like family and family like friends became known as “The Busey Way.” In 1991, Doug was elected to the board of directors of the Association of Bank Holding Companies. In 2004, he was recognized as the Illinois Banker of the Year by the Illinois Bankers Association, and in 2006 Doug was a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Taking care of the community was always important to Doug. He and his late wife, Linda, co-founded the Busey-Mills Community Foundation in 1990 to enhance the quality of life in the communities served by the Busey organization. In addition, in 1995, they established the first named endowment to support the position of the Head Football Coach at the University of Illinois, as well as endowing chairs in the Schools of Business and Education. In 2001, The Mills Foundation was created and has supported numerous non-profits throughout Illinois, Florida and California. Doug and Linda served in many social and civic functions in the community and in August of 2005, the local Chamber of Commerce awarded them Champaign County’s “Most Valuable Citizen” award. In 2006, they gave the $10 million lead gift to the Carle Foundation to establish the Mills Breast Cancer Institute in Urbana, IL, and in 2019, Doug was the Carle Cornerstone Award Recipient.
Following his retirement from Busey, Doug was fortunate to find love for a second time and married Cynthia Swain (Cisty) in Peoria, IL, on September 1, 2012. Doug became a permanent resident of Peoria and continued his giving ways in that community. Doug contributed on the Peoria Riverfront Museum Foundation Board and was a founder of the Visionary Society Council. Doug and Cisty generously sponsored the annual museum recognition event from its inception.
Doug and Cisty enjoyed traveling the world and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Doug could often be found simultaneously planning many different trips, a true reflection of his lifelong love of traveling. In 2018, Doug and Cisty started spending their winters in Jupiter, FL, and together created many memories at Jonathan’s Landing.
Doug continued playing golf and recorded his first ever hole-in-one in 2019 at the age of 79 on hole number 3 at Champaign Country Club. Doug was an exceptional golfer his entire life, and the golf course is where he focused his athletic competitiveness after his UI playing days were over. Doug won many golf tournaments throughout the years, including the 1974 Twin City Golf Championship. He was a long-time member of Champaign Country Club, winning the Club Championship multiple times, most recently in 1991. Doug was also a three-time CICCA Champion, winning three times in eight years. Doug was deeply rooted in the CICCA, being a member at Soangetaha Country Club, Champaign Country Club and the Country Club of Peoria at various times. One of his greatest golfing accomplishments occurred in 1994, when he qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Golf Championship.
Doug was a man of integrity, talent, hard work, and, most of all, FUN! His generosity was boundless, as was his love of people and enthusiasm for life. He was elite in everything he did, family, business, friendships and sports. Doug ALWAYS had a smile on his face and his positivity was infectious and radiated from the depths of his soul. He was happiest with sunshine on his face, traveling with friends and family, leading his teams at home, on the field, and in business, and relishing in his cherished role as Poppy. Doug made the world better for everyone.
Douglas is survived by his wife, Cynthia "Cisty" Swain Mills of Peoria, IL; sons, David of Ft. Myers, FL, and Rob (Christen) of San Diego, CA; granddaughters, Madison and Ashley Mills, both of Champaign, IL; sister, Ginger (Mike) Baxter of Ellenton, FL; nephews, Christopher Baxter of Cortez, FL, and Michael (Michelle) Baxter and son, Alistair, of Highland Park, IL; former daughter-in-law, Meredith Mills of Champaign, IL; and sister-in-law, Sandy Mills of Tucson, AZ. Doug is also survived by Cisty’s three sons, J.R. (Nadia), Tim (Bridget) and Hunter (Heather); and her twelve grandchildren.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert; and his first wife, Linda.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Morgan Memorial Home in Savoy, IL. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 30, at 11 a.m. at the University of Illinois Memorial Stadium Colonnades Club, with reception immediately following. Parking will be available in Lot 36 and State Farm Center.
Memorials may be made to the following: Mills Breast Cancer Institute Carle Health Center for Philanthropy, 611 W. Park St., Urbana, IL 61801; The Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St., Peoria, IL 61602; or a charitable organization of your choice in the name of Douglas Mills.
Condolences may be offered at www.morganmemorialhome.com.
Posted online on May 24, 2024
Published in Peoria Journal Star
