Our beloved Bill believed that Jesus Christ was his Lord, Savior and Redeemer. He peacefully passed over to glory at his home in Bow, Washington, on July 6, 2019, at 95 years of age. Bill was an award-winning Native and Western woodcarver, airplane pilot and motorcyclist. He was known for his fierce love of Janet Eilene, his wife of nearly 50 years. They were to celebrate their anniversary date in August.
Bill, born Feb. 1, 1924, was the fourth in the lineage of five children born to Lloyd and Ada Milner. He married Violet L. Nicholson in 1942. They had three daughters, Jerry St. John, Carolyn Nelson and Susan Campbell (now deceased). Violet succumbed to cancer in May 1966, and Bill subsequently moved from Twisp to the Puget Sound, where he later met and married Janet E. Lambert of Mount Vernon, Washington, in August 1969.
He loved his family and friends. He leaves behind three daughters from his first marriage and three step-children from his marriage to Janet, as follows: Ron Lambert, Rene Shafar, and Rodney Lambert (deceased). There are numerous grandchildren: Jay and Jodi; Tracy and Lori (deceased); Ryan and Jennifer; Ben, Brian, Rachel and Rodney Shafar; Christopher and Eric Lambert. Then there are 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons. Bill’s quiver was full!
Born in Wenatchee, Bill was raised in Brewster, later moving to Twisp where his working career included Milner Apple Orchard and Wagner Lumber Mill in Twisp, and later working for Riverside Millwork in Mount Vernon until his retirement.
A memorial service was held on July 27 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, in celebration of Bill’s life.
