George Ellis Mullins, 98, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2023.

He was born in Champaign, Ill., on June 11, 1925, to the late Bess Redhed Mullins and Edgar Raymond Mullins. He was one of four children. He was preceded in death by his brother, Edgar Raymond Mullins Jr., and his sister, Elizabeth Ione Mullins. He was also preceded in death by Winifred Mullins, the mother of his children.

George graduated from Greenway High School in Coleraine, Minn., in 1943. As a member of the school’s swimming team, he was the state champion of the 220-yard freestyle in 1943. He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout and supported the ideals of scouting throughout his life. He enjoyed ski jumping while living in Coleraine.

George entered the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1943, as a draftee into World War II, and commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Munda. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

George graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Architectural Engineering in 1949. He was a letterman on the University of Illinois Swimming Team and a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was later hired by a consulting engineering firm in Champaign, Ill. George became a partner and later president of the firm Brown, Davis, Mullins and Associates.

During his retirement, he enjoyed swimming, dancing, golfing, traveling and water color painting. He was a member of Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Mooresville.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Knisley Copeland Mullins; his sister, Judith Mullins Gorham; his daughter, Jody Mullins Johnson of Marietta, Ga.; his son, Jeffrey B. Mullins of Champaign, Ill.; his grandsons, Alexander (Erin), Andrew and Matthew (Izzy) Johnson; and his great grandsons, Avery and Caden Johnson.

A private service will be held by his family. He will be laid to rest in Coleraine, Minn.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Mullins family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.