Walter Mills was born in Barbourville, Kentucky, and moved to Dayton, Ohio at the age of 6 years. He attended Emerson School in grades 1-7 and Stivers High in grades 8-12. Walter had a great athletic career at Stivers, earning 9 letters: 4 in baseball, 3 in football and 2 in basketball. He noted that some favorite sports memories include pitching a no-hitter against Yellow Springs, running a 70 yard touchdown against Roth, and playing quarterback for the last winning Stivers football team. Walter was also awarded special recognition on the All-City football teams. Walter excelled not only in athletics at Stivers, but also as a school leader. He served as treasurer of the Junior Class and Vice-President of the Senior Class. Walter and future wife Sina Hampton were elected Stivers Prom King and Queen during their senior year.
Walter continued his athletic and academic career at Centre College of Kentucky and graduated in 1971. He played both baseball and football during those years.
Walter excelled in the business world in the same manner as his athletic successes. He worked for the Kroger Corporation in management for 5 years following college. He then moved to the Sysco Corporation as a marketing specialist in 1976, retiring from Sysco after 31 years of service with the last 17 years as President, CEO, and Chairman of Sysco Indianapolis.
Walter married his Stivers High School sweetheart Sina Hampton while at Centre College and they are celebrating 45 years of marriage. They have two children, Lori and Matt and three grandchildren, Meredith, Wyatt, and Silas. The family has resided in Carmel, Indiana, for the past 25 years. Walter’s Stivers coach, Dick Landis, happens to reside in Carmel also.
