It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Daniel J. Bills. He died on November 9, 2025 at home in Newport, RI, with his beloved wife, Nancy, at his side. He was ninety.
Dan was born September 2, 1935, in Long Branch, NJ, the only child of Miriam and Roger Bills. He grew up in Highlands, NJ, and attended Red Bank Catholic High School and the University of Pennsylvania, before embarking on a career in retail. For some years, he was a partner at the William H. Frederick store in Chestnut Hill, PA, later moving on to founding his own establishments. At the age of 36 he opened the store he became known for, The Lion’s Paw, on Nantucket. From its humble beginnings on Straight Wharf in 1971, The Lion’s Paw evolved into an island institution at Zero Main Street, offering fine furnishings and extraordinary objects for the home.
Dan’s Philadelphia friends, Sally and Ed Shoemaker, introduced him to Sally’s sister, Nancy, and the couple were married in May, 1979, at St. James Church in New York City. They lived, with Nancy’s three children, in Duxbury and Nantucket, becoming year-round residents of the island in 1985.
Over those 38 years Dan and Nancy and The Lion’s Paw were fixtures of Nantucket. Everyone knew the store and Dan, “the nice man with the white hair.” Dan loved both the landscape and the community of Nantucket. He enjoyed picnics with his family at Altar Rock, Evensong and Christmas Midnight services at St Paul’s Church, and he supported local nonprofits, including the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Hospital Thrift Shop. For many years he organized the Used Book Sale and the Gift Chalet for St Paul’s Fair.
In 2006 Dan and Nancy sold The Lion’s Paw and settled into a long, happy retirement. In 2017 they left the island for Newport, in part to be closer to their three children and eight grandchildren, whom Dan cherished.
On learning of his passing his family often heard him described by others as an especially rare and kind gentleman. Dan not only loved his family, he also loved all dogs and they were drawn to him. He loved gardening, Broadway musicals, and long walks. His manners were impeccable while his sense of humor was mischievous. Halloween motifs were a favorite tease of his, with a particular focus on bats.
Dan is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nancy Maxwell Bills, his stepchildren, Jennie (Louis), Hank (Cory), and Cricket (Angus), and eight grandchildren, Stewart, Caroline, Katie, Danny, Sophie, Emma, Gus, and Jack. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful caregivers who became Dan’s extended family over the past couple of years.
A service will be held Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:00 am, at Trinity Church in Newport, memorial gifts may be made to a charity of your choice.