Elliott David Millican, Jr.

born September 8, 1927 in Abba, GA (near current day Ashburn), died at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton on July 6, 2013. He was raised in the rural South during the depression and enlisted in the Navy when he was 17. Joining one of only two battlecrusiers built by the United States during the war, he fought in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns as a 40mm gunner on the USS Alaska (CB-1). After the war he was transferred to the Heavy Cruiser USS Helena (CA-75) and went on a cruise around the world which included stops in England, Scotland, France, Italy, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Singapore and eventually China.He was discharged in California in 1948 and worked for some time at a Pontiac plant in Compton, CA before moving to Bainbridge Island in 1949. After attending the University of Washington for a year in Forestry, he took a summer job with the old Mosquito Fleet (Black Ball Line) and ended up staying on when Washington State bought most of the fleet and started the Washington State Ferries in 1951. Starting as a deckhand, he eventually became a captain, working Lofall-Southpoint (before the Hood Canal Bridge), the San Juans, Clinton-Mukilteo, Bainbridge-Seattle, Bremerton-Seattle, and Edmonds-Kingston.Elliott was married to JoAnn Millican on October 14, 1950, the mother of his three children Laurie Jo, Larry Andrew, and Joel Wallace Millican. In November 1979 he also became the legal guardian of his grandson, Jacob Andrew Millican. At the age of 60, he decided to learn how to fly and earned his pilot's license in a matter of months. After 45 years of service he retired from the Washington State Ferries in 1995 to enjoy flying his Cessna 172 and travelling overseas, visiting some old stops like Italy and Egypt, as well as new ones like Israel and Greece.The last few months of his life were spent with his family in their home at Wing Point where he enjoyed watching the birds and directing gardening from the front porch. He is survived by his son, Joel Wallace Millican of Salt Lake City; grandson, Jacob Andrew Millican of Bainbridge Island, four other grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.A visitation will take place on Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 5-8 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Bainbridge Island Ward. The Graveside Service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 4 pm at Hillcrest Cemetery on Old Mill Rd, Bainbridge Island. Memorial contributions can be made to the Church General Missionary Fund. Please sign the online Guest Book for the family.