Billy Wayne Milliken

Billy Wayne Milliken 70, of Spiro, Oklahoma died Thursday, December 23, 2021, in a local hospital. He was born March 16, 1951 in Bentonville, Arkansas to Dean Milliken and Frances Ackerman Milliken. He was a 1969 graduate of Bentonville High School and attended Westark Community College in Fort Smith. He served six years in the U.S. Navy and was a Vietnam Veteran. He retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant at the 188th Air National Guard where he was supervisor of Resource Management in the Supply branch. He was a born-again Christian, a member of Gideon's International, and a deacon at Friendship Baptist Fellowship in Rock Island, Oklahoma.

Bill served many years in the bus ministry, and he loved teaching children, working with youth and senior adults. After his retirement, he was privileged to go on mission trips to Mexico, Honduras, Spain, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. He studied Spanish every day after he retired.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elaine Gowens Milliken of the home; three sons, Dan Milliken (Heather) of Bentonville, AR, Sean Milliken (Whitney) of Marshall, AR, Matt Milliken of Spiro, OK; mother, Frances Milliken of Bentonville, AR; one brother, Ed Milliken (June) of Bentonville, AR; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at 2 PM, Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Fort Smith National Cemetery with full Military Honors, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 691, Poteau, OK 74953