Bernard Weldon Milligan

Bernard Weldon Milligan, age 93, after living most of his life in Cave Creek, Arizona, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023. Bernard, aka “Bernie” and “Duke”, was born the youngest of 12 children to Levi “Lee” Milligan and Sarah Elizabeth Byrd Milligan, and was raised in Conway, Arkansas. He grew up quickly, joining the U.S. Army Air Forces at the young age of 16, he traveled the world and then found beautiful Mary, whom he married. Together, they traveled even more, had six children, and finally settled in Cave Creek, Arizona.

Bernie retired from the military in 1967; then retired from Honeywell in 1989. Bernie and Mary were married for over 68 years. He loved trail riding throughout Arizona on his horses along with his burro/pack mule; he enjoyed Cave Creek well water and he relished the peace & quiet he found in the beautiful desert. Bernie was strong to the end; he taught his children to fight for freedom and to stand up for what you believe in.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Patrick; daughter, Kathleen; son, Timothy; daughter, Sharon; daughter, Shelley; and daughter, Maureen; as well as 19 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church, then on to his final resting place at the National Memorial Cemetery.