William G. Milliken, Michigan’s longest-serving governor, will be cremated and buried on Mackinac Island next to his wife and daughter, a family spokesman said.
Milliken died Friday, Oct. 18, at age 97 at his home in Traverse City. The Millikens also owned a cottage on Mackinac Island.
A public memorial service will be held in May in Traverse City, Jack Lessenberry said, adding that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is planning to speak at the May event.
Milliken was lieutenant governor in 1969 when Gov. George Romney resigned to join the Nixon administration, making Milliken the state’s chief executive. Milliken subsequently won three elections. He retired from politics in 1982.
Milliken was a moderate Republican best known for his environmental agenda. He oversaw passage of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act, enabling citizens to sue polluters; protections for rivers, Great Lakes coastlines, wetlands and inland lakes; a deposit on soda and beer bottles; and limits on phosphorus in laundry detergent to help Lake Erie.
Milliken’s wife, Helen, died in 2012. Their daughter Elaine died of cancer in 1993. Bill Milliken is survived by his son, William Milliken Jr.
Editor’s note: This story initially had an incorrect location for the May memorial ceremony.