Dr. William McMillen
Ohio University alum Dr. William Earl McMillen passed away suddenly on Nov, 23 at the age of 70, according to his obituary in the Toledo Blade.
Bill was known for his intellect, congenial nature, and collaboration. Dr. McMillen held a Ph.D. in English from Ohio University (1976); a Master’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Ohio University (1972); and a Bachelor’s degree in English from University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point (1969). Bill had a long, successful career. He retired from the University of Toledo (UT) in 2013 and subsequently served on the Unison Health board as well as several Northwest Ohio mental health and social services boards.
From 2010-2012 he served as Provost and Executive VP of Academic Affairs at University of Toledo. Bill also served as the VP of Governmental Relations and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President. Bill was responsible for overseeing legislation in the General Assembly that changed the name of MCO to the Medical University of Ohio (MUO). While serving in a joint role as VP of Governmental Relations for both the MUO and UT, Bill played a key role in guiding the merger through the legislature. Assuming a leadership role at the new, merged University of Toledo, he worked on strategic planning, sustainability, economic development, and relations with the Ohio Board of Regents.
Bill was a published author in both fiction, “Sticks” and non-fiction, “From Campus to Capitol.” In addition, he self-published a series of Christmas books which were privately distributed to friends and family. Sadly, Christmas Pines and Pico Press will receive no further installments. More recently, Bill was a playwright working with Toledo Repertoire Theatre “First Do No Harm” and worked closely with the Glacity Theater Collective, who performed his play “Exhibition.” A prolific writer, Bill leaves behind shelves of unpublished manuscripts, each from 50 to 800 pages, in various genres from Plays, Historical Fiction to Sci-Fi. Before his sudden passing, he was passionately working on the play “Mrs. Piper” that someday will be performed in honor of his memory. Bill was always jotting down interesting little details that would later be woven into robust characterizations. One of Bill’s most endearing qualities was his record-keeping and especially the family notebook in which he recorded every family event in detail. This notebook memorializes our lives together and this keepsake will be forever treasured.
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