Obituaries

Donald McMillian died on October 6, 2026. Born in Demossville, Kentucky on June 27, 1927 to parents Fred and Agnes McMillian, Donald had two sisters and a brother, Dorothy (Paul Simpson, deceased), Adrian (Faye, living), and Mildred, all of whom pre-deceased him.

He left school before graduation to join the army in 1945 later achieving his GED. Initially serving in the Headquarters Replacement and School Command Army Ground Forces, he was stationed in France during the later stages of the war.

Following his return from the war his friends Johnny and Rita Fisk set Don up on a double-date with Wilma Mairose, who he married in 1951. Don and Wilma are the proud parents of Cynthia, Kevin and Laura, their biggest heartbreak being the loss of Kevin in a 1969 swimming accident.

Don followed in his father’s footsteps as a carpenter. He attained his union card with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in the 1950’s, where he ultimately achieved life membership after 50 years of service. He was assistant director and chairman of the Council on Political Education Committee, was a representative at state conventions, legislative conferences, and the Labor Management Classic.

Locally, Don was the building inspector for the City of Walton for seven years and a deputy jailer for Boone County. He was a member of the Walton City Council, Executive Board Member of the Northern Kentucky Central Labor Council and the Boone County Labor Council Campaign Chairman. He was recognized in 1977 by Governor Julian Carroll as a Kentucky Colonel.

As past president of the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission, he sought to improve living conditions of low-income families. Don held membership in the Boone County Democratic Club, the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, was on the board of directors of the Kentucky Labor/Management Board, the Kentucky State Labor Relations Board, and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky. He participated in the 1993 Kentucky Electoral College, and the White House Conference on Aging, and was an Honorary Ambassador of Labor. He served on the Boone County Planning and Zoning Commission from 1982 to 2022. In 2017 Don was inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2022, Don was awarded the Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home Veteran of Merit Award at the Walton Verona Middle School Veteran’s Day Ceremony.

Don is survived by his wife of 75 years, Wilma, Cynthia Olive (Randy, deceased), Laura Cannon (Steven, deceased, Gregory Ryan), granddaughter Allison (Josh) Cahill, great-grandson Bennett and granddaughter Addley, grandson Phillip (Ashley) Cannon, great-grandsons Jack and Henry, and grandson Michael (Maggie) Cannon, great-grandson Oliver and great-granddaughter Melody Claire.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 11th from 4 PM to 7 PM at Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Home, 45 N. Main Street, Walton, KY 41094. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, October 12th at 1 PM at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, 5336 Old Taylor Mill Rd., Covington, KY 41015 (those attending should meet at the main, center, cemetery entrance).

Memorial donations may be made to Piner Baptist Church by clicking here and/or to The Wounded Warrior Project by clicking here and/or to any veteran’s charity of your choice.