Born July 24, 1927. Died March 11, 2019. William H. “Bill” McMillen of Buckingham Township, Bucks County, PA, was a patriot, aviation enthusiast and engineer who made many contributions to Naval aviation during his career. Born to the late Charles and Lillian (O’Bryan) McMillen in Chicago, Il, Bill grew up in Hammond, IN, the youngest of ten, with his six oldest siblings named O’Sullivan and the last four (including him) named McMillen. He was always interested in aviation and electronics, having joined the Navy in May of 1945, just prior to his high school graduation. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, being honorably discharged Sept. 1, 1955.

In June of 1956 Bill married the love of his life, Mercedes, settling in Levittown, PA, where they started their family. In September 1966, the family moved to Bedminster Twp., PA and in 1998 he and Mercedes moved to Buckingham Twp. During his career working as a civilian for the Navy at the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Warminster, PA, Bill was one of a research and development team of four engineers who developed numerous patents for advanced integrated cockpit displays for Naval combat and other military aircraft - some still used today. His work on early digital and color displays, and size/weight reduction of aircraft electronic components, advanced the state-of-the-art for Naval aviation during the Cold War.

In his personal life, Bill was strongly committed to his family and Catholic faith and was a Fourth-Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He was generous with his financial support of numerous charities, supporting his Parish and Catholic organizations, pro-life causes, and veterans. He enjoyed talking with friends and family about his many adventures in aviation during his time in the Navy and during his civilian service at NADC. His beloved wife Mercedes preceded him in death in 2003. Bill is survived by his twin daughters and two sons; six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.