Willie McMillen

CHARLESTON - Willie Gray McMillen, 85, died at 6:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2002, at his home near Charleston.

Born Jan. 8, 1916, at Murray, Ky., son of the late Maxie Thomas and Maggie Stagner McMillen, he was a lifelong resident of the Charleston area. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was of the Baptist belief.

On Dec. 13, 1941, at Caruthersville, he married Mahala Christine Hill who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: three sons, Roy Thomas McMillen, Willie Dale McMillen and Ronnie Ray McMillen of Sikeston; six daughters, Mary Ann Pazdera, Nola Faye Passley, Charlene Sue Grisso, Sally Marie Garrett and Wilma Irene McMillen of Charleston and Barbara Jean Wilson of East Prairie; one brother, Grady McMillen of St. Louis; three sisters, Dorothy Patrick and Reva Switzer of Peoria, Ill., and Margaret Cates of Fort Leonard Wood; and 26 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.

Six brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. Monday until service time at 11 a.m. at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. The Rev. Lawrence Heckert, pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy of Charleston, will officiate.

The Missouri Military Honors Program will conduct military graveside rites at Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston.

Pallbearers will be: Scott Pazdera, Kenny Garrett, Larry Estes, Dennis Thurman, Dustin McMillen and David Wilson.