LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A funeral is scheduled Friday for a Crestwood man hit and killed by a shuttle bus outside of Valhalla Golf Club last week.

John Mills is being remembered for his generosity and giving back to the community. Instead of traditional funeral flowers, Mills' family is asking people to make donations to the Bluegrass Center for Autism.

Mills' family said the 69-year-old enjoyed staying busy in retirement and was working security for the PGA Championship, when his life was cut short.

Before tragedy struck, he was using his skills to fix things on the campus of the Bluegrass Center for Autism.

"It's a wonderful legacy," said director Sterling Franklin. "He came in and helped on just various projects that we needed to kind of make ends meet."

Serving as the center's part-time maintenance man, Mills fixed door knobs, replaced light bulbs and installed a water fountain at the nonprofit, which offers one-on-one treatment for children and young adults on the autism spectrum.

"We have three campuses, and there's a lot of wear and tear that happens on our buildings," Franklin explained. "To have someone that we can call and we know that they're reliable. It's just huge. It's a huge weight off of our shoulders."

The Mills family said he always put the needs of others before his own, and they said he "had a special way with children." His legacy will be to continue helping kids in need.

"We have a 300 person waitlist right now, so in terms of donations, it goes directly back to the care of these individuals," Franklin said. "In such a tragedy and a loss, and to think of us as where you want contributions to go to. I mean, it's really an honor."

John Mills will be laid to rest in Illinois on Friday. He is survived by his wife Donna, four children, seven grandchildren and a host of family and friends. 

The Bluegrass Center for Autism has already received nearly $2,000 in donations in his memory. If you would like to make a donation, click here. 

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