Robert Walter Milligan, 91 years young, a new resident of Murphy, went home
to be with the Creator, YHWH, Tuesday, Dec, 10, 2019, with his family surrounding him.
He was born in Clinton, Ill., but spent most of his life in southern California.
He proudly served in the United States Navy, both in World War II and the Korean War. On numerous occasions, he was greeted and thanked for his military service by the kind people of Murphy. He would never leave the house without wearing his World War II veteran’s hat.
His three main loves were The Creator, YHWH, sailing and flying. The many blessings in his life made
him deeply grateful to His Savior, Yahshua (the One many call JESUS).
Robert was an accomplished sailor. He crossed the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean aboard his own sailboats, “REJOICE!” built for him in Hong Kong and “Wings,” both names inspired by his zeal for Scripture, Philippians 4:4 and Psalm 139:9. He always dreamed of someday distributing Bibles to the remote Pacific Islands.
Robert developed a love for flying in his teens in a Piper Cub. At the age of only 75, he obtained his pilot’s license, purchased a Grumman Cheetah airplane and began a successful aerial photography business.
He was the son of the late Lloyd Curtis Milligan and Marian Constance Huff Milligan. He was also preceded in death by the wife whom he loved, Shirley Mayfield Milligan, and a daughter, Cheryl Milligan Weinstein.
He will be greatly missed by his two sons, David Milligan and wife Shari Lynn Milligan, and Michael Milligan and wife Chari Lynn Milligan, all of Murphy, whom he honored by living with them the last three years minus one month plus one day of his life after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; his daughter, Constance Milligan Mach and husband Gary of California; seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
In his published book, A Search for Significance, Robert boasts in this that the adventures, accomplishments and endeavors have only been possible through his Maker and Messiah, Yahushua. See 1 Corinthians 1:31.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Robert Walter Milligan to the
Community Pregnancy Clinics at community4life.com.
Robert and his family were often seen walking, praying and singing around Planned Parenthood in Sarasota, Fla., before they moved to Murphy this past March. They know of at least seven babies that were saved from death on his watch. This was one of Robert’s passions, saving mommies and babies from abortion.
November 2018, Robert was sitting on a swing looking over the pasture, the spring fed pond and gentle rolling mountains. This was the seventh property we had looked at, the first property in North Carolina, and Robert said, “This is what can happen when God cares.” We bought the property, moved, and he lived out his life here in Murphy. His words were fulfilled.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of arrangements.
An online guest resister is available at iviefuneralhome.com.