Billy Ray Milligan

SERVICES: 2:00 PM Thursday, September 8, 2011, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with Rev. Leland Lewis, pastor of First Assembly of God, officiating.BURIAL: Fairview Cemetery, with military honors courtesy U. S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. Milligan was born November 12, 1928 in Blair, Oklahoma, to Willy and Cleo Milligan, the second child in a family of five. The family lived a hard life sharecropping and picking cotton or "pulling bolls" as they called it. If harsh environments breed strong stock, then Billy would be amongst the strongest. Poverty and abuse were a daily reality. He learned survival through life's circumstances when he should have been learning unconditional love, approval, security and trust. True to his Irish heritage, he became known as the "fighter" and "scrapper," earning his place in this world instead of knowing he belonged, but he had learned what he had lived. For Billy Ray, that fight and drive would birth perseverance. He would overcome the harsh environment he grew up in. It would build in him fortitude, a strong work ethic and a need to love and provide for his family by living sacrificially, doing whatever it took to make a living and take care of his own. All this with only an 8th grade education. He joined the military at 17 years young. He entered boot camp but became ill and was unable to graduate the first time, but completed boot camp the second time through. Before his time in the military would end, he would cross both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by ship to serve his country. He was sent first to Frankfurt, Germany. He served during World War II in the occupation forces from 1946 until 1949. He was in the Constabulary Unit. He also provided security at the Nuremburg Trials. He was decorated with both the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupational Medal.After returning from the war he met the love of his life, Mildred Fatheree. Bill asked Milli's dad for her hand in marriage in the middle of a cotton field. They were married on October 2, 1950 and would have celebrated 61 years together this year. Their honeymoon started in those same cotton fields, trying to make enough money to start their life together. Their first purchase consisted of two plates, two forks and spoons. They didn't even have enough money for wedding rings until Bill would return from yet another war. Bill was called up for duty two weeks after they married to serve his country again. This time he was headed into the Korean Conflict. He served during 1950 and 1951 with the 780th Field Artillery Battalion. He was wounded in battle and received the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. When Bill returned from the war, he and Mildred moved to the Texas Panhandle. He worked at Pantex initially where they lived in the barracks provided there. Then they moved to Pampa in 1952 where Bill worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, making $38.00 a week. They would start their family in Pampa. Their first child, Cathy Gay Milligan, was born in 1955, but whose little life only lasted two days. Later they would complete their family with two sons, Aubrey in 1958 and Randy in 1960.Bill worked odd jobs on the side to make ends meet. He collected old bicycles discarded for trash and rebuilt them for re-sale, and repaired televisions and lawnmowers as well. Among his hobbies was racing cars he had "souped up" and gardening. He had a 1956 red and white Pontiac Fire Chief with flipper hub caps that was his pride and joy, which probably won many a race on the back roads. Bill became known for his incredible "green thumb," growing vegetables and sunflowers that looked like something out of "Ripley's Believe It or Not." There were cantaloupes that weighed in up to 18 pounds, okra 14 foot tall, and sunflowers with stalks the size of small trees and heads more than 18 inches across. He guarded the heirloom seeds he had saved since the early 1940's, but was more than willing to share. As most men of his generation, Bill did not show a lot of affection until these latter years, but his life was lived with selfless acts of love that created stability for and in for his boys that he did not receive. It was said of Bill that he never asked for help. If there was something that had to be done, something he had to do, he found a way to do it. He was a strong man with a strong heart. He poured out his life in the only expression of love he could, and managed to build a better foundation for his children to start with than his own. The farthest reach of his faith would become the starting line for the future Milligans. It was better than he had been given. He has finally entered into rest and peace in the perfect love of God. "...unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it does it produces much grain..." "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."He is survived by his wife: Mildred Milligan of the home; two sons: Aubrey Milligan and wife Vanessa and Randy Milligan and wife Bonita, all of Pampa; three grandsons: Brandon Milligan and wife Lexi, Ryan Milligan and wife Jessica, and Jake Milligan, all of Pampa; one great-grandson: Jonathan Milligan of Pampa. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter: Kathy Gay Milligan.Memorials may be made to the Freedom Museum, 600 N. Hobart, Pampa, Texas 79065.