William Milam Jr.: A Profile in Service

William Milam, Jr., better known as “Junior,” has dedicated his life to service, both to community and to country. It’s a trait he attributes directly to an act of kindness he experienced in the wake of a tragedy at a young age.

The lifelong Henry native was in first grade when he arrived on the bus one afternoon to find that his home had burned to the ground. The next day, when he arrived at school, his teacher, Becky Aldridge, presented him with all of the clothing he needed.

Milam also credits his parents, William Milam, Sr. and the late Betty Jean Milam, with instilling in him the values of hard work, honesty and “doing what’s right when no one’s looking.”

Milam joined the military as a senior in high school, influenced by his vocational teacher, Staff Sgt. Lester Earl Teague of the National Guard.

He enlisted into the Paris National Guard 890th Engineer Company to begin a remarkable 21-year career, reaching the rank of Army Master Sergeant and accumulating a laundry list of accolades, including:

–Bronze Star Medal

–Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

–Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

–National Defense Service Medal

–Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal

–Distribution Management-Coalition Forces Land Component Command

–Numerous Army Commendation Medals for Outstanding Service

–Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year for the State of Tennessee 2001

–Nuclear Biological Chemical Defense - Most Outstanding Student

–Nuclear Biological Chemical School - Most Outstanding Student

–Military Engineering School - Most Outstanding Student

Milam deployed with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to five countries. Prior to deployment, he met President George W. Bush, who assured the Master Sergeant his hands would never be tied and he would always get the resources he needed.

Milam’s orders overseas included overseeing the water and fuel supplies in five countries.

According to his Bronze Star Medal certificate, Milam oversaw the distribution of over 630 million gallons of multi-grade bulk petroleum and 4.5 billion gallons of vital water support to over 250,000 U.S. and Coalition forces.

He recalled the monumental stress of the assignment. “The Government Accountability Office came every 30 days to go over our account books. We were spending tremendous amounts of money, and every penny I was responsible for was always accounted for.” There were also briefings with the Joint Chiefs of Staff three times a week.

He says he would sometimes go three nights without sleep and lost a lot of weight.

One notable assignment he was given was personal security for a U.S. general. Milam drove the general from Point A to Point B at a blistering 125 miles per hour with another vehicle on his bumper. He recalled that the general and his staff sent gifts back home to his wife following the trip. He also recalled, “When I first got back home, I didn’t drive for a week.”

Another interesting exercise was training of Bulgarian soldiers. He traveled by boat down the Danube River between Romania and Bulgaria (along with Randy McCadams of McKenzie) for the assignment. “In Bulgaria,” Milam said. “I think I was the first black person they had ever seen.”

He said of his time overseas, “I saw a lot, more than I really wanted to see. But it was a good tour. There were a lot of good people, and everyone did their job well.”

Following that deployment, Milam retired from military service, in part because his mother was in poor health. “I took care of her for five years before she passed.”

Besides his military career, Milam worked maintenance at Gaines Manufacturing for about ten years before becoming a meter reader for the West Tennessee Public Utility District. Now with the company for over 30 years, Milam is a foreman supervisor with a long list of responsibilities, including maintaining the company’s Atmospheric Corrosion Program. He also oversees the youth program WTPUD hosts for part-time workers.

Since his military retirement, he and his wife of 38 years, Ella, have focused on volunteer work.

He is a member of McKenzie Rotary Club, Mary’s Kids, Community Action Network and the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. He is a board member for Henry County Helping Hands and for the Henry County Airport Board and a former member of the Henry Board of Aldermen. Milam is a past chairman of Boy Scout Troop 423.

His extensive service to the Veterans of Foreign Wars includes former positions Commander for Post 4939 in McKenzie, West Tennessee Chief of Staff and, on the national level, inspector general.

Milam will be the Memorial Day speaker for the City of McKenzie this year.

Accolades for his public service record include: Modern Woodmen of America Hometown Hero, 2023 Henry County Veteran of the Year, 2024 Woodmen Life Fraternal Spirit Award and the Paris/Henry County Ministerial Alliance 2025 Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Award.

Milam said, “It’s for all of us to set a great example for the youth of our community. If you see anyone that needs help, try to help them. Always be encouraging and set a good example. One day, somebody’s going to have to help you. My first grade teacher didn’t have to help me, but she did. It’s all about public service.”

He emphatically includes Ella in the credit for the service he’s been able to provide. “We’re a package deal. She’s always right by my side.” He added, “And she did an excellent job taking care of the family while I was overseas.”