Dana Arnold Bills, born December 17, 1986 in Burlington, VT, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on July 20, 2023 after enduring a long struggle with a rare genetic blood disorder.

The kind of person you meet once and never forget, Dana was always ready for an extended conversation, always quick with a joke or a smile, and always, always wearing orange.

Nearly as soon as Dana could talk, he was reading, and he could often be found with the nub of a pencil tucked behind his ear as he tucked into a book. His insatiable appetite for reading came out in the incredible detail with which he could recount stories—reciting dialogues verbatim to the delight or mild annoyance of those around him.

Upon moving to Essex Junction and entering Albert D. Lawton school, he became known for his signature orange look and his dependability. He graduated from Essex High School in 2005 with honors, receiving computer science certifications in A+ and C++.

Dana had a love for creating things: games, stories, even his cranberry chutney. While employed at Hematologic Technologies for ten years, he completed two years of college toward an IT degree before deciding to pursue his creative passions. He took a year to travel the country and began writing and publishing his works, as well as contributing to various creative projects and editing for other writers. 

He enjoyed volleyball, kayaking, and in younger years snowboarding at Smugglers' Notch Resort with family and friends.

For nearly two decades, Dana frequented both local and national anime conventions, helping friends run tables as needed. He was easily recognizable—nearly six feet tall, with several pens hanging from his orange shirt collar, and wearing an orange cap upon his head.

Dana was a very loving, generous man. He would offer physical, financial, or emotional support to his friends whenever they needed it. His family dubbed him the “Baby Whisperer,” and he could often be found entertaining toddlers or lulling babies to sleep so that their tired family could cook, run errands, or catch some sleep. He showed up to family meals and holidays with games, taking it upon himself as eldest sibling and game master to keep everyone in line.

During his hospital stay, one nurse asked him about his work. He responded deadpan: “I traffic drugs.” A typical Dana twist—he most recently worked as a courier of medical supplies for local companies, affording him time for his writing and other creative ventures.

Dana is survived by a large network of family and close friends—too many people to name. They include his mother and step-father, Kelly and Brian Holmes; his father and step-mother, Daniel and Vivian Bills; sister Gabrielle Bills (Edwin Cárdenas) and children Agustín and Simón; sister Veronica Bills; brother Zachary Jenkins; sister Olivia Holmes; brother Luke Bills; sister Gloria Holmes; sister Tianna Perrotte (Noah); sister Zoe Bills; maternal grandmother Gail Holmes; the Reyes family; and the Seward family.

Dana was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Warren & Margaret Bills; Grandma Tomiko Willette; his aunt Karen Lee Bills; maternal grandparents Edward Arnold; Clayton Holmes; and Anita Petroziello.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023 in Burlington, Vermont, location TBD.

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