Willie B. Millikin Edmiaston, Death Notice, July 4, 2002, Coke County, TX Contributed by Jo Collier 17 January 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, July 12, 2002, Robert Lee, TX Willie B. Millikin Edmiaston Willie B. Millikin Edmiaston, 96, of Abilene and formerly of Bronte passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2002, at Sears Methodist Center. Jim and Nona Anderson became the proud parents of a daughter, Willie B. on July 9, 1905, on a ranch in Edwards County, Texas. She could recall vividly much about the ranch life she lived as a child. Willie B. excelled in softball and basketball during her high school years. She also used her talent on the piano to play with a dance band. After graduating from Rock Springs High School, Willie B. moved to Denton, Texas where she attended the College of Industrial Arts. In 1928, during her first college year, Rocksprings was destroyed by a cyclone. Willie B. moved back home at that time and went to work in the lumber yard. Although she had many beaus throughout this time, it was a traveling wholesale grocery salesman who stole her heart, and after several years of courtship, the young couple married March 20, 1930. Willie B. became Mrs. Wish Millikin and they moved to Sabinal, Texas. On September 11, 1932, they welcomed their first child, Billie Jean. The young father’s job took them down the road to Uvalde, Texas, where they lived happily for five years among a host of relatives and new found friends. During this time in Uvalde, a son, R. J., was born March 19, 1937. In 1938, the young family moved to Bronte to help with the family business, the Bronte Ice Company. Then she went to work at the First National Bank in Bronte, during this time the bank was robbed. Later that year, she went to work for West Texas Utilities as a bookkeeper, retiring in 1967. Her beloved husband, Wish, passed away on November 16, 1961. Willie B. later married a longtime friend, Don B. Edmiaston, on May 20, 1981, bringing long friendship and companionship to their later years. Willie B. was an active part of the Bronte community, she joined the First United Methodist Church in 1938 upon moving to Bronte, serving as treasurer for 15 years. She served as room mother, officer in the PTA, she supported the Bronte schools, served as election judge for 10 years, and had been a member of the Bronte Bridge Club since 1967. She was also a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Starr #1048 and has held every station of the order, serving many years as secretary. She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Wish Milliken, her second husband, Don B. Edmiaston; two grandsons, James Robert Clark, Jr. and William Clifford Clark; and a step-son, Bobby Edmiaston. Willie B. is survived by her children, Billie Jean Clark and husband, Bobby and Robert J. Millikin and wife, Phyllis; five grandchildren, Debbie Olive, Cindy Pickett, Jim Millikin, LaCresia Boyd, and Hollis Millikin; and nine great grandchildren, Ashley Olive, Mendy Pickett, Lance Pickett, Ryan Millikin, Laine Millikin, Zachary Boyd, Dallas Boyd, Will Millikin, and Claire Millikin. Funeral services were held at 5:00 pm Saturday, July 6, 2002, at the First United Methodist Church in Bronte. Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. Permission granted by Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives