Dr. William Bruce McMillan, Jr. was born on November 18,1936 to the late William Bruce McMillan, Sr. and Gertrude Lillian Graves McMillan. He peacefully transitioned to eternal life on August 21, 2022. He was preceded in death by: his sisters, Mary Altonelle McMillan Bryant and Audrey Lillian McMillan Babcock.

Bill was educated in the Charlotte City School System, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Johnson C. Smith University, his Master of Education Degree from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and his Doctor of Education from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He was a life-long educator with a notable career including, Teacher at Marie G. Davis School; Principal at Tuckaseegee Elementary, Cochrane Middle School, and his beloved West Charlotte High School. Bill was a Special Assistant of Secondary Education for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and concluded his distinguished career as the Regional Director of the Southwest Technical Assistance Center for the NC Department of Public Instruction.

For many years, Bill officiated football and basketball games at the high school and collegiate level. He was a sports official for both the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) where he was named into both organization's the Halls of Fame. His officiating experiences allowed him to work in football arenas such as Yankee and Kennedy Stadiums, as well as the Orange Bowl and Gator Bowl.

Bill was devoted to his family and was affectionately known as "Poppi". He married his high school sweetheart, JoAnne Mayfield McMillan, and together they had two daughters, L'Tanya and Joni. Bill and JoAnne loved and supported each other for 42 years until her passing in 2001. He was blessed to find love again and married Delorise Weathers McMillan with whom he shared the remainder of his wonderful life. Bill was extremely proud of how his family consistently lived a life of love, support and servant leadership. He brought sage advice, joy and compassion not only to family, but also many friends who called on him in times of need. Whether the need was great or small, good or bad, family and friends knew they could always count on Poppi.

He was a true child of God who was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was an active and devoted member of First Baptist Church-West for most of his life before providing the same dedication and passion as a founding member of First Fellowship Ministries, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and served on various Boards and Committees.

Bill served as a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Boule), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and Swanks Social Club. He was a former member of Florence Crittenton Services Board of Directors, Central Piedmont Community College Minority Recruitment Advisory committee, as well as participant in the inaugural Leadership Charlotte Class I.

He leaves with his family beautiful memories: his wife, Delorise; daughters L'Tanya McKoy (Reginald) and Joni Davis (Aaron); as well as four grandchildren, William Earle (Monet), Meredith Earle, Chelsea Davis and Landon Davis; two great grandchildren, Imani Earle and William Christopher Earle; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters- and brothers-in-law and extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation in his memory to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina or the National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina.