Colonel Walter Milliner, USAF-ret., of Williamsburg, Va., one of the “Greatest Generation” died Nov. 6, 2014.
Walter was born July 31, 1922, in Accomac, Va., to Samuel Smith and Minnie Bennett Milliner, deceased.
Walter is survived by his wife of 69 years, Nannie Wise Milliner, and four children, Walter T. Milliner Jr. and wife Diane, Nannie Susanne Considine and husband Joseph, Michael S. Milliner and wife Bea, and Bennett W. Milliner and wife Maria. Grandchildren include Christine and Mark with wife Merrisa, Gerald with wife Candice and Brett, Lucas with wife Natcha and Timothy, Andrew (deceased) and Merideth. Great-grandchildren include Christina, Mathew, twins Christopher and Nicholas, Raven and Samara. Other close family members include Deborah Milliner, mother of Lucas and Timothy and Mary Ingerson, mother of Andrew and Merideth.
Walter entered the Army Air Corps in 1943 and was sent to England where he successfully completed 25 combat missions over occupied Europe and Germany as pilot of a B-24 Liberator. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with V for Valor and the Air Medal with Clusters. One decoration resulted from a mission over Pas de Calais where his plane was damaged by enemy fire requiring Walter to pull his plane out of a deadly spin and pilot his aircraft home on three engines without rudder or elevator controls. Determining his crew was in danger, Walter ordered them to bail out over England, and he and his co-pilot crash landed the crippled aircraft. All were found to be safe.
After the War, Captain Milliner attended the University of Virginia accompanied by his wife Nannie. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture after which he returned to military service and studied at the University of Illinois earning a Master’s Degree in City Planning. This combined education served Major Milliner well while serving in post war Europe with the Joint Construction Agency where he was commended for his “tact, good judgment, imagination, and tenacity” while faced with “constantly changing requirements and conditions.”
Returning to the United States, Walter continued his government service in Civil Defense, Housing and Urban Development, and Water Resources of Virginia. Upon retirement from civil service, Walter and Nannie moved to Gloucester Point, Va., where he volunteered his service for the Rescue Squad, Meals on Wheels, and the church. In 1997, they moved to Williamsburg, where life at Williamsburg Landing has been gratefully and joyously lived.
The funeral will be conducted at Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, Va., on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery with reception following.
Donations in Walter’s memory sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 213 McLaws Circle, Williamsburg, Va. 23185 would be appreciated or to the charity of your choice.
Nannie and family express gratitude to the entire nursing staff at Williamsburg Landing for their kind and devoted care of our beloved during his illnesses.