William
William Edward Mcmillen
d. April 19, 2015
William Edward McMillen (Ed) passed away on April 19, 2015 at The Life Care Center of Kennewick He was 91 years old.
Ed was born November 26, 1923 in Two Buttes Colorado to William Frederick and Ina Osborn McMillen. In 1936 when Ed was 13 his family moved from their farm in Colorado to escape the Dust Bowl conditions. They had to stop in Idaho to earn enough money to continue their trip west. They settled in Yakima for a short time and purchased a small farm in Prosser. After graduating from Prosser High School in 1942, he joined the Navy serving as a radioman in World War II. After being discharged in 1946, he came back to Prosser and met Helen Marie Dodson. They were married February 14, 1948, and shortly after, started farming on the Roza Project. In 1958 they had the opportunity to farm 2 units in Block 18 by Connell, Washington. They built a home and moved in with their children Bill and Eddylou. Ed, who turned marginal sage brush land into a highly productive irrigated farm, was named North Franklin County’s 1967 Conservation Farmer of the Year. Ed retired from farming at 62 years of age, and in 2007 he and Helen moved to Kennewick.
Ed was a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion and the Connell gun club. He enjoyed traveling and seeing what was over the next hill.
Ed is survived by his wife Helen, his son Bill (Laurana) McMillen, Kennewick, daughter Eddylou Donovan, Spokane, his grandchildren Amy Sappenfield, Kennewick, Matthew McMillen, Astoria, New York and Erin Donovan of Portland, Oregon. Also surviving is his brother Frank McMillen of Chapel Hills, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.
Ed was preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister Shirley Goldsworthy of Wenatchee, Washington.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Fleur de Lis Adult Family homes and the Life Care Center of Kennewick for their dedicated care and patience.
A private service will be held later in Prosser. Prosser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may leave an online message of condolence for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com
Ed was born November 26, 1923 in Two Buttes Colorado to William Frederick and Ina Osborn McMillen. In 1936 when Ed was 13 his family moved from their farm in Colorado to escape the Dust Bowl conditions. They had to stop in Idaho to earn enough money to continue their trip west. They settled in Yakima for a short time and purchased a small farm in Prosser. After graduating from Prosser High School in 1942, he joined the Navy serving as a radioman in World War II. After being discharged in 1946, he came back to Prosser and met Helen Marie Dodson. They were married February 14, 1948, and shortly after, started farming on the Roza Project. In 1958 they had the opportunity to farm 2 units in Block 18 by Connell, Washington. They built a home and moved in with their children Bill and Eddylou. Ed, who turned marginal sage brush land into a highly productive irrigated farm, was named North Franklin County’s 1967 Conservation Farmer of the Year. Ed retired from farming at 62 years of age, and in 2007 he and Helen moved to Kennewick.
Ed was a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion and the Connell gun club. He enjoyed traveling and seeing what was over the next hill.
Ed is survived by his wife Helen, his son Bill (Laurana) McMillen, Kennewick, daughter Eddylou Donovan, Spokane, his grandchildren Amy Sappenfield, Kennewick, Matthew McMillen, Astoria, New York and Erin Donovan of Portland, Oregon. Also surviving is his brother Frank McMillen of Chapel Hills, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.
Ed was preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister Shirley Goldsworthy of Wenatchee, Washington.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Fleur de Lis Adult Family homes and the Life Care Center of Kennewick for their dedicated care and patience.
A private service will be held later in Prosser. Prosser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may leave an online message of condolence for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com
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