Emmett William Millholland, Jr., 84, passed away in Jupiter, Florida on June 1, 2024. Fondly known as “Bill” throughout his life, he was born and grew up in the Columbus, Ohio suburb of Upper Arlington. He was the son of the late Emmett William and Dorcas Millholland.
After graduating from Ohio State University, where he was a Kappa Sigma fraternity member, Bill was commissioned into the U.S. Army serving three years active duty as a helicopter pilot. Bill was able to sustain his love of flying helicopters by serving in the Army Reserves for seventeen years. While serving and stationed in Dallas, Texas, Bill met his beautiful, beloved wife Barbara Joan Etchells of Cheshire, England; an American Airlines “Stewardess.” The two married in 1963. After fulfilling his U.S. Army active duty obligation Bill entered the corporate world, working in the communications industry. He held senior positions in sales, marketing and human resources while working with three different companies during his career – Southwestern Bell, Siecor Corp. and Anixter. Bill, Barbara and the family relocated many times, living in Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Illinois, Belgium and ultimately retiring to Florida at age 58 in 1998.
For over 15 years, Bill served as the HOA President for the Southern Cay Village of the Jonathan's Landing Community of Jupiter, Florida where he resided. He met and assisted many wonderful neighbors and friends in his village while happily devoting his time to a neighborhood he truly loved.
More than anything, Bill loved his family, friends and pets. He cherished every opportunity to boat, travel and to have a beer and put a steak on the grill with the people he loved. He enjoyed playing guitar, blasting over the waves on his HAM Radio (W5SBR) and had the innate ability to fix anything. Bill was a car nut and a mechanic at heart, keeping his own cars and boats running and restoring classic cars – Jaguars, Cadillacs, Datsun 280Z, Renaults and classic wooden Chris Craft boats to pristine condition. He always joked and played pranks, and he had the most unforgettable, infectious laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Brittany Croatti (Aldo), Valerie Regil (Joseba) and his grandchildren, Dylan, Daniel and Kyle.
The family will be attending a graveside service at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Florida where Bill will be interned. A public memorial and celebration of Bill’s life will be scheduled for Fall 2024. More information to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League https://peggyadams.org/help/donate/
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