Bill's

William A. Hall (1921-1976) and his wife Alma Webb (1919-2001) opened Bill’s Drive-Inn at the corner of 5th Street and Mercer Street (100 N. 5th Street) about 1952. Prior to Bill’s, Snidow Signs and Kane’s Art Metal Shop were in this location.

Bill graduated from Mullins High School and the Little French Beauty Academy. Bill was a U.S. World War II Army veteran. He was wounded in action in France in 1945. He and his wife Alma owned and operated Alma’s Beauty Salon on Mercer Street. After 1954 Bill was president of Tynes-Hall Motor Sales and Tynes-Hall Realty Service.

Robert Franklin ‘Frank’  Mills, Sr.  (1914-1965) and his wife Elizabeth Powell (1914-2011) owned and operated Bill’s Drive-In from about 1954 until Frank’s death in 1965 at the age of 51. Elizabeth did most of the cooking.

Bill’s Drive-In is remembered for the best foot-long hotdogs in town; their chili was described as “out of the world” good. Their milkshakes were extra thick and creamy. Milkshakes were so thick the cup could be turned upside down and not spill. A cone of their soft serve ice cream was also a welcome treat on a hot summer day.  Bill’s carhops often wore roller skates when they delivered the food orders to the cars. 

The author remembers her family stopping at Bill’s Drive-In after attending Sunday night service at Johnston Chapel Baptist Church. She doesn’t recall what she or other family members ordered but remembers her mom always had a big thick pineapple milkshake.

After Frank died, Jerry Goins bought the restaurant and opened Jerry’s Pizza in that location. A pawn shop now occupies the property.