Derrall Eugene McMillin, 71, son of Chester and Jessie (Shelton) McMillin, was born Aug. 23, 1941, in Marshall, Mo. He passed away on Dec. 3, 2012, at Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, after a bone marrow transplant for cancer.
Derrall grew up in Elk Creek, Mo., attending Elk Creek grade school and graduating in 1959 from Cabool High School. Accepting Christ at age 14 at church camp, he excelled in FFA and sports.
He joined the Air Force in July 1959 and served nine years as an Aircraft Electronic Navigation Equipment Specialist. He was a veteran of Vietnam, flying there on many missions from the Philippines. He was most proud of flying with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit.
He was an accomplished private pilot and flight instructor for many years.
He married Deloris Woody and two boys were born. He later married his current wife, Doris Henderson, to which a boy and girl were born.
He worked for telephone companies in Nevada, Idaho and Texas before retiring to enjoy a new home in the country near Montgomery, Texas. Loving the outdoors, he spent lots of time in the mountains hunting and fishing at nearby Texas lakes. Bird watching and gardening were especially important. He provided vegetables to all.
He was a diehard Texas football fan and avid reader. There was not a subject he could not discuss. He always enjoyed coming back to Missouri. He enjoyed having a good laugh with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Chester Jr.; and a baby son, Darin.
He is survived by his wife, Doris; one daughter, Dana Burt and husband, Jason, of Montgomery, Texas; two sons, Jeff and wife, Kim, of Richmond, Texas, and Michael of Greenville, Mo.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his mother, Jessie of Houston, Mo.; one sister, Joyce Peabody of Houston, Mo.; a special uncle, Jim Hall of Houston, Mo.; and two nephews.
A private service was held Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at the Methodist Hospital Chapel in Houston, Texas. Cremation was under the direction of Eikenhorst Funeral Services. Graveside services will be planned at Cabool Cemetery at a later date (due to the wife’s illness).
