William U. Milliken

William Uhrich Milliken, a current resident of LaBelle, Florida and long time resident of Bowerston and Fresno, Ohio, passed away at his home in Fresno overlooking the Tuscarawas River valley on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at the age of 77. Bill was born in Dennison, Ohio, November 6, 1933. The son of the late Edward C. and Margaret L. (Uhrich) Milliken, Bill grew up in Bowerston with his sister, MaryAnn (Edie – surviving husband Dean), attending Bowerston High School and graduating from Conotton Valley High School in 1951. Following high school, Bill traveled to upstate New York where he attended Alfred University. While at Alfred, he met his lifelong friend, Ron (Phyllis) Francis. As Ron said just recently, “We are as close as brothers, but we never fought.” Bill graduated from Alfred University June 5, 1955 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ceramic Engineering. He started working in the clay industry with Claycraft of Columbus, but after a few years decided he needed to “see the world” and serve his country by joining the Navy. Bill served onboard a destroyer tender ship in the Pacific. After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Bill moved to Bowerston and joined the Bowerston Shale Company (BOSCO) which was founded by his grandfather, Samuel, and his father, Ed, who passed while Bill was in college. Bill worked at BOSCO for 42 years retiring as President and CEO. He served on the Board of Directors of the Clay City Pipe Company, the Bowerston Public Library, the First National Bank of Dennison, the Twin City Hospital, and the Sunnyslope and Sunnyview Nursing Homes. Bill was a leader in the clay products and brick industry. He was a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), past Chairman of the Structural Clay Products Division of ACerS, past Chairman of the National Brick Industry Association, and past Chairman of the Mideast Region of the Brick Institute of America. In addition, Bill was a member of the Masons and Rotary Club. Bill was a trustee of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Bowerston, and he attended the United Methodist Church of West Lafayette and the Carlson United Methodist Church of LaBelle, Florida.
After returning to Bowerston, Bill was introduced to Joyce M. Papworth of Uhrichsville. They were married August 20, 1960 in Atlanta, Georgia. A favorite story is required at this point. A friend of Bill’s had heard he was recently married and was in Bowerston. His friend found out where he lived and knocked on the door. Joyce answered the door and his friend asked if he was home. Joyce replied that he was down at the restaurant with the “boys” – well, his friend thought this was great, “the old gang” was at the restaurant. The boys, however, turned out to be Charles (age 4) and the twins Thomas and James (age 3). In 1961, daughter Sara was born followed by Richard in 1962 and Edward in 1965. The family was now complete with Charlie (Nadine), Tom who passed away in an accident while attending Ohio State in 1977, Jim, Sara (Christopher “Kip”), Rich (Anita) and Ed (Lucy). Bill loved fishing so the family (all eight) started going to Lake Nipissing in Ontario for vacations, eventually buying a cabin there. Bill was a very patient father, and he had to be to take six kids in a boat walleye fishing for four hours early in the morning every day for a week a couple times each year. Some of the best memories of Bill were at the cabin in Canada. It would be remiss not to mention another “member” of the family--Mike (Shirley) Shepperson. Mike became a brother to all of the children and a very close friend to Bill and Joyce. Bill was so very proud of his family, starting with his grandfather and father starting BOSCO and his mom’s side (Margaret Uhrich) whose father, Ed, owned a livery stable and then a moving and storage company in Uhrichsville. This pride culminated in Bill and Joyce’s 50th Wedding Anniversary in August where all the kids and 11 of 12 grandchildren (Jessica, Dan, Claire, Matt, Clay, Ty, Amanda, Lauren, Lindsey, Shannon, Jason and Mitchell) attended along with many special friends and relatives.
Bill was diagnosed with kidney cancer in September of 2004 and given 6-months. God blessed him with 6+ years of quality life with Joyce, his family and friends. New Year’s Eve, God decided it was time to say good-bye. Bill was airlifted back to Ohio with Joyce where he spent his final weeks with Hospice at home with visits from family and friends. He loved sports and watched Ohio State beat Arkansas, NFL football playoffs (though the Browns didn’t make it), and watched OSU beat Michigan in basketball. His granddaughter in Japan was even able to say good-bye via live video link. Although he never said it, he didn’t understand why God gave him six good years while other friends and family passed away quickly. That question can’t be answered, except that his family can only say that they were blessed with a loving husband, father, and friend and given a chance to truly appreciate him. Thank you God!
Friends may call at R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, Ohio on Sunday, January 23, between 1:00 and 4:00pm. Services will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bowerston on Monday, January 24, at 1:00pm with Rev. Bob James officiating. Interment will take place at Longview Cemetery in Bowerston followed by a reception at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bowerston. Those wishing to honor Bill’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Trinity United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 255, Bowerston, OH 44695, Health Services of Coshocton County: Hospice, 230 S. 4th St., Coshocton, OH 43812-2019, or the charity of the donor’s choice, in lieu of flowers.
R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740) 922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com