January 5, 2025, 90, Goldsboro —

Senior Master Sergeant James Leon Zills, USAF Retired, passed away Sunday morning, January 5, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center at the age of 90.

Mr. Zills was born in Alabama on July 8, 1934 to the late Andrew Floyd and Annie Pearson Zills.  He was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served in Vietnam.  Mr. Zills faithfully served the United States Air Force for 28 years where he met his wife, while stationed in England.  Upon his retirement from the United States Air Force, he worked for Goldsboro Milling for 20 years.

He is survived by four children, James A. Zills of Rock Hill, SC; Linda A. Hines of Phoenix, AZ; Robert G. Zills of Crestview, FL and Jeff L. Zills of Gilbert, AZ. He has eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Zills and two sisters, Mae Helen and Anita Kaye.

A service to remember his life will be held Monday, January 13, 2025 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro. Burial with full military honors will follow at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, in memory of their father, Senior Master Sergeant James Leon Zills, USAF Retired, at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.