WCC: Remembering Michigan Gov. William G. Milliken

The life of Michigan Gov. William G. Milliken, father of Washtenaw Community College’s Board of Trustees vice chair William G. Milliken Jr., was celebrated this past week in a memorial service at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Gov. Milliken died last October at the age of 97. He was Michigan’s longest-serving governor, holding the office for 14 years, from 1969-83.

During the service, Gov. Milliken was recognized for his ability to bring bipartisan cooperation and compromise to the state’s government, his focus on the state’s environment and his efforts to help the city of Detroit.

Prior to becoming Michigan’s 44th governor, Milliken served in the state Senate and as the state’s lieutenant governor. He also was president of the former Milliken’s department stores and flew 50 combat missions in Europe during World War II.

WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca attended the memorial service.

“The tribute to Governor Milliken so aptly captured his remarkable legacy as a public servant,” Bellanca said. “He was a man of integrity and a true statesman. We have all been enriched by his service to our state and our communities. His son, William Milliken Jr., vice chair of our board of trustees – carries the same traits as his father. We are grateful for his dedication to the college and his passion for ensuring the success of our students.”

William Milliken Jr. was elected a trustee of Washtenaw Community College in 2016 and also serves as a member of the WCC Foundation board. He is the president of Milliken Realty Co., an Ann Arbor commercial real estate brokerage firm, which he founded in 1996.

For information about Washtenaw Community College visit: wccnet.edu.