FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — Walter Eldridge Milam died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, April 1, in Friendswood, at the age of 90.
Walter is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Lillian Ratliff (husband, Roy Ratliff) and Joe Milam (wife, Edna Milam); grandchildren Danielle Caltabiano (husband, Philip Caltabiano), Ashley Massicott (husband, Bryan Massicott), and Julia Milam; great-grandchildren, Ava Caltabiano, Hudson Massicott, Holden Massicott, and Gianna Caltabiano; siblings Iva Mae Yelton of Severn, Md., Martha Prowell of Rogers, Ark., Delorece Hendricks of Charleston, MS, Virginia Rippee of Germantown, Tenn., and Jeff Milam of Charleston, MS.
He is preceded in death by his father, Andrew Reece Milam of Charleston, MS; mother, Lillian Viola Walker Milam of Charleston, MS; and stepmother, Jesse Hitt Milam of Charleston, MS; as well as his siblings, Catherine German of Charleston, MS, Joseph Milam of Dothan, Ala., George Milam of Charleston, MS, and Jerry Boyce, a brother who passed away at birth.
Walter was born on June 13, 1929, in Dublin to Andrew Reece and Lillian Milam. He obtained an associate degree at Sunflower Junior College in Moorehead and then went on to graduate from University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1961.
Walter married Masumi “Mary” Sumi in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1954 and had a son and daughter. They resided in Boston, Mass.; Fukuoka, Japan; Honolulu, Ha.; Satellite Beach, Fla.; and Friendswood, Texas.
An Air Force Veteran, Walter was a Command Pilot and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was an endowment member of the National Rifle Association and life member of the Texas Rifle Association. Walter was 100% disabled due to combat-related injuries and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.
Walter was active in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Part of his career was in support of the Space Program, including the first man on the moon.
Upon Air Force retirement, Walter was a successful entrepreneur in the restaurant industry before fully retiring in 1992. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family, and made frequent trips to his hometown of Charleston, MS.
Walter was a devoted and loving husband, supportive father, perfect grandfather and great grandfather, beloved brother, favorite uncle, and loyal friend. Witty and curious, he had a great sense of humor, always had a smile on his face, and never met a stranger.
Walter was an excellent provider for his family and had a genuine love for his extended family and friends. To know him was to love him, and he will be greatly missed.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service will be closed to immediate family only.
