Paul J. McMillon, 97, of De Soto died June 30, 2019, at his home. Mr. McMillon was a veteran of World War II who served as a combat engineer, building bridges under the command of General George Patton’s Third Army in the European, African and Middle Eastern campaigns. He was a retired railroad yardman for the Terminal Railroad Association and a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Board of Trustees at Parkton Institute, and was a lifelong member of the VFW. Born Jan. 13, 1922, in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of the late Victoria (Sallee) and Charles Columbus McMillon.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years: Thelma (Transue) McMillon, whom he married Dec. 22, 1945, in Poplar Bluff; two sons: Floyd (Harriet) McMillon of Barnhart and Maurice (Michelle) McMillon of Claremore, Okla.; two daughters: Kathleen Fantauzzi of St. Cloud, Fla., and Paula Campbell of Kansas City, Kan.; a brother: Charles (Norma) McMillon of Granite City, Ill.; nine grandchildren: Elizabeth Isenhour, Ron (Virginia) Bradley, Shawna McMillon, Catie Vaughn Lovely, Rachel (Josh) Foster, Melissa (Lance) Williams, Megan (Josh) Engleman, Michael (Hannah) McMillon and Matthew McMillon; five nieces and nephews: Carl, Janice, Carol, Norma and Roger; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by six sisters: Wanda, Lottie, Ella, Mary, Edna and Virginia.
A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10851 Hwy. 21, in Hillsboro. Burial will be in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to the Parkton Institute. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert D. Brown Funeral Home in Hillsboro.