John William McMillian

John William McMillian

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 was a favorite verse of John William McMillian who went to live in eternal paradise with his Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, July 14, 2025, at the age of 84. John led a life of accomplishments that he often said only the Lord Himself could have orchestrated.

John’s beginning was in Milton, West Virginia, where he was born the first son of a hardworking family with roots deep in the West Virginia mountains. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1958 and Marshall University in 1963. After graduation, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army where he honorably served as an officer from 1963 to 1968. He earned several accolades during his time as a soldier, including the Army Commendation Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Airborne wings. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his leadership of a company responsible for all petroleum-related activities in the Fourth Corps Tactical Zone during combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam.

After his military service, John earned his doctorate in educational leadership and business management. He then served his community as a public-school teacher, coach, administrator, and college professor for nearly four decades. “Dr. Mac,” as he was known by students and staff alike, served in several roles including leading high schools in Newnan, Duluth, and Dalton, Georgia. He also served as the county superintendent of schools of Walker County, Georgia. His educational career culminated at Covenant College on Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he served as an adjunct and full-time professor for twenty-two years combined. Throughout his life, he was a faithful member of several congregations and served as deacon or elder when called to do so.

After retiring from education, Capt. McMillian made his retirement home in Simpsonville, South Carolina. He invested much of his latter years studying God’s word, teaching his grandchildren during their regular visits, and sharing the Gospel whenever the opportunity arose through service and prayer for others.

Throughout his life, John exemplified the West Virginia state motto: Montani Semper Liberi ("Mountaineers are Always Free"). He always recognized his own sinful nature and said his freedom came from his faith in Jesus Christ—who he credited for providing him with extraordinary opportunities that greatly exceeded his modest upbringing. He is dearly missed by his family and friends, who nonetheless celebrate the fact that he is awaiting their eternal reunion to come!

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Posey McMillian, his three children, John William “Chip” McMillian, II, and his wife Rhonda Sue McMillian, of Milton, West Virginia, June McMillian Wheeler and her husband Tyrone Kyle Wheeler, of Woodstock, Georgia, and Everett Eugene McMillian and his wife Elizabeth Provence McMillian, of Florence, South Carolina, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and his younger brother, Morris Eugene McMillian and his wife Debbie Lowther McMillian, of Charleston, West Virginia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Maudie McMillian of Milton, West Virginia, and his deceased spouse Carol Jo Bailey.

John will be laid to rest with full military honors at Nazareth Presbyterian Church, 680 Nazareth Church Road, Moore, SC 29369, at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Reverend Det Bowers, a longtime friend of John’s, will officiate the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or online at www.samaritanspurse.org

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com

Floyd’s North Church Street