Biography

03/19/1907 - 05/10/2005

McMILLEN, William Ray, a Representative from Indiana County; born, March 19, 1907 in Gipsy, Indiana County, Pa.; graduated, Montgomery Township High School, 1925; attended, Juniata College; attended, The Pennsylvania State (University) College; attended, extension courses, University of Pittsburgh; attended, Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania); carpenter’s mate, first class, Construction Battalion, United States Navy (1943-1944, World War II); served, United States Navy Reserves; teacher, Grant Township schools (1925-1928); teacher and principal, Burrell Township schools (1928-1940); member and president, Burrell Township School District (6 years); foreman, heavy construction; president, Plumville Lumber Company; elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Republican in 1940; reelected to the House for 5 more consecutive terms; appointed Commission on Interstate Cooperation Sub-Committee on Aviation (1943-1946); appointed, Commission to Study Highway Laws (1945-1946); appointed, Post-High School Education Commission (1947-1948); not a candidate for reelection to the House (1952); appointed, Pennsylvania Aeronautics Commission (8 years); elected, Republican State Committee (12 years); elected, mayor, Blairsville (4 years); mortgage and loan manager and executive credit officer, Savings and Trust Company of Indiana; president and general manager, The Blairsville Wilbert Vault Company Incorporated; president and general manager, J.M.C. Enterprises Incorporated; elected, commissioner, Indiana County (1972-1976, 1980-1984); died, May 10, 2005 in the city of Baltimore, Maryland; interred, Rowley Cemetery, Hillsdale, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.