Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Helen M. Wallbank of Denver, CO in 1945; children: William Jr. and Elaine
Number of Children: 2
Background
Education:
graduated from Traverse City High School; attended Yale, graduated in 1946
Biographical Sketch:
Grandson of James W. Milliken; son of James T. Milliken and Hildegarde (Grawn) Milliken. He interrupted his studies at Yale to enlist in the Army Air Corp in 1942. He was a waist-gunner on a B-24. He returned to Yale in 1945After graduation in 1946 he became presisent of J.W. Milliken, Inc., the department store founded by his grandfather in Traverse City. In 1947 he was appointed to the Michigan Waterways Commission and was in this commission until 1955. As Lt. Governor, he became governor the first time when George Romney resigned to become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Member: Rotary. Board of Trustees of Northwestern Michigan College for 3 years. Past president of Traverse City Chamber of Commerce. Chairman of Grand Traverse County of America. Was part of the Board of Directors of Greater Michigan Inc. Chairman of the Grand Traverse County Republican committee for 6 years. Past president of the Scenic Trails Council and the Boy Scouts of America. In 1953 was selected by the Department of State with team of 6 people to spend 75 days in West Germany in the intercultural exchange program.
Notable Facts:
50 combat missions in the European Theatre. Wounded over Vienna, Austria. Awarded the Purple Heart, European ribbon with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and 3 battle stars.
Grandson & son of state Senators James W. Milliken & James T. Milliken. Governor of Michigan 1969-82.
Majority floor leader in the senate.
First Lt. Governor candidate to run in tandem with the gubernatorial candidate.
As of 2019, Michigan's longest serving governor with 14 years.