Obituary: William (Bill) T. MacMillan III

William (Bill) T. MacMillan III

William (Bill) T. MacMillan III

Bill passed away on Dec. 21, 2017, after suffering a short illness. Bill was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on April 15, 1937, to Flora MacMillan-Troop (Peckett) and William T. MacMillan II. Bill was preceded in death by both his parents and younger brother, David Troop.

Bill is survived by his three children, Brinton (Ria) MacMillan, Bob (Lynda) MacMillan, Julie (Pat) Heuer; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Bill is also survived by his sisters, Marian Marion of Memphis, Tenn., and Jeannie Navikas of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; brother, Dan Troop of Deerfield, Maryland; sister-in-law, Dona Troop of Pennsylvania; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bill went to school at Milton Hershey School for Boys in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, Bill joined the Merchant Marines, where he had many adventures. After the Merchant Marines, Bill traveled west to Arizona to visit with his family that moved to Cottonwood. He met and married Fern Phillips of the Verde Valley. Bill and Fern relocated to Mesa to build churches for the LDS. After a time, Bill moved back to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to work with construction firms, Consolidated Construction and E.E. Murray Construction. Bill was missing Arizona and returned five years later.

When Bill moved back to Prescott, he and lifelong friend, Chuck Warner, started the construction company, Warner-MacMillan Construction, where the company grew and became one of the most respected companies in the region. Later on, Bill acquired Chuck’s interests, and renamed the company, MacMillan Construction Company, where the company still grew, and did many buildings in and around the Prescott area and elsewhere in the state.

Bob, his son, bought out Bill when he was ready to retire. Bill enjoyed many things in his life, going to the performances at Yavapai College, and camping and hunting with his friends. Bill also played Senior Softball for many years. What Bill loved the most was spending time with his family.

Bill was also a member of the Free Masons, a Shriner and a member of the Lions Club. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him. Our hearts are heavy and saddened by this loss. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Feb. 24, 2018, between 2-6 p.m., at Julie MacMillan-Heuer and husband Pat Heuer’s house. For the address, you may contact Bob, Julie, Pat Heuer or Chuck Warner. Please come share your stories about Bill.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Bill’s name to the Shriner Hospital for Children.

Information provided by survivors.


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