The Richmond News, June 7, 2024

Wendell Wayne “Wink” Milligan, 74, of Hardin passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital North in Kansas City.

Wink was born Dec. 12, 1949, in Ray County, the son of Leo Grant and Mary Katherine (Stratton) Milligan.

Wayne Milligan

He was united in marriage to Teresa “Terri” Curry of Waverly on April 6, 1968. She survives of the home. Additional survivors include his daughter, Wendi (Russell) McNeal; two sons, Mike Milligan and Aaron Milligan; and eight grandchildren, Ryan (Crystal) McNeal, Taira (Joey Bates) Blankenship, Jessica McNeal, Tyler (Kali) O’Sullivan, Taylor (Blake) McNeal, Wade McNeal, Austin Milligan and Savannah (Josh) Milligan.

Nine great-grandchildren, Dalton, Myla, Strykar, Cilla, Brantley, Lance, Havok, Blakely and Rekkor; four siblings, Jim (Zelpha) Milligan, Shirley (Bill) Bisbee, Calvin (Dorothy) Milligan and Leon Milligan; a sister-inlaw, Peggy Russell; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Mildred Lee Pollard, Richard Milligan, Kenny Milligan, Dean Milligan and Allen Milligan; and brother-in-law, John Russell.

Wink was reared and educated in the area of his birth. He worked at Banquet Foods from 1967 to 1973, for Ford Motor Co. from 1973 to 2006 and then at MFA from 2011 to 2022.

Wink loved being outside working in his yard, flowers, gardening and mowing his lawn, which he got from his mother. He was an accomplished rock thrower, so watch out. Wink especially loved his family, grandkids and great-grandkids.

He was of the Christian faith and a member of the First Baptist Church of Braymer.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation was scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 3, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Funeral services were scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the First Baptist Church in Braymer. Interment was to be in New Hope Cemetery north of Hardin.

Please share your memories of Wink with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.