James was born on 30 April 1882 at Orroroo, South Australia. At the time of his death, The South Australian Baptist Union Inc reported: "Mr Bills rendered distinguished service to the various churches to which he belonged at Orroroo, Peterborough, Semaphore, Gawler and Norwood, and at Kew, Victoria. His powers of leadership, his professional skill and consecrated scholarship made much valued contribution to the work in all these places and were greatly appreciated by Ministers, fellow officers and members. At the same time he was always a great friend and helper of the young people of the communities. As Headmaster of King's College he stamped his personality on the boys and clearly defined his religion in precept and practice so that hundreds of the scholars will praise God that they were his pupils. He gave valued service to the wider work of the the Baptist denomination as an examiner and adviser for the Young People's Department Scripture Examinations, as SA Manager for "Our Indian Field", as a member of the College Committee, as a Governor of the "JG Raw's Memorial Scholarship" and a valued contributor to the columns of the "Baptist Record"."

The Eulogy at his funeral gave a good summary of his life: " The Baptist community was greatly shocked a day or two ago to learn of the death at the early age of 64 years of Mr James Bills, of the Norwood Church at his home at Rose Park. He was the son of the late Mr Josiah Bills, well-known Baptist pioneer of Orroroo, and was born in that town. As a young man, he evinced a keen interest in church and school work. After gaining his degree of BA at the Adelaide University, Mr Bills was a master at the High School at Gawler. He was also some years at Peterborough, where he met, and later, at Parkside Church married Miss Vevien Chinner, daughter of Mr and Mrs T H Chinner, well-known Northern Baptists. Later he resigned from the Education Department and became the Vice- Principal of Carey Grammar School, Melbourne. From there he came back to South Australia to take up the position of headmaster of King’s College, where he exercised a very fine ministry until compelled by failing hearing to relinquish the position in 1933. Many of the fellows who were at King’s during those years have cause to be grateful for the fashioning hand of James Bills. As a private coach since then, Mr Bills has been recognized as one of the foremost teachers in his own line in the State. During the war years he felt compelled to take up some service which would be of benefit to his country and for a long time was on the staff at Parliament House. He took a prominent part in the work of his church at Norwood and was for many years a most valued deacon, and in addition, was for most of that time the leader of the Young People’s class. Here he was seen at his best. A born teacher, he dedicated those gifts to his master with rare fidelity and zeal, and none can possibly reckon what his influence here has meant. As an officer he was sagacious and zealous and possessed withal a fund of humour. He was a good “minister’s man” to which fact none can testify more surely than his minister who writes this tribute. He helped in many in Union affairs, serving at one time on the College Committee and as an examiner and lecturer for the Young People’s Department. He was much in demand as a lay preacher. The service of thanksgiving at the church was conduced by his pastor, Rev H Roy Heard, assisted by Rev E S Tuckwell, who had been intimately associated with our late friend at Peterborough, Gawler, Semaphore and Kew. Mr Tuckwell paid a beautiful tribute to the deceased brother. The service at the Crematorium Chapel was conducted Rev H Roy Heard and Rev A C Hill. The large and representative attendance testified to the esteem in which Mr Bills was held."

James died at Rose Park in 1946.