Roy Carmel Milligan, of Greenville, SC
1937 – 2018
Roy Carmel Milligan, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away at the age of 81 on Sept. 27, after a courageous 12-year battle with cancer. Roy, the second son of John Roland Milligan and Connie Maxwell Cox Milligan, was born on a farm in Tabor City on July 2, 1937.
He was raised with three brothers, John Leckman, George Truett and Norman Barry. He graduated from Tabor City High School in 1955 and joined the Army.
He met the love of his life, Peggy Jolly Milligan in elementary school, when he used to pull her hair while sitting behind her in their class. Peggy’s family moved away but the two of them reunited in 1956. They began writing letters to each other and Peggy came to visit him while he was stationed in Augusta, Georgia during Easter weekend. On Oct. 12, 1957 they were married, and began a cherished bond that would prove to be a loving example of marriage lasting generations.
Roy was such a loving and caring man who worked tirelessly to provide for his family. After his time with the Army, he moved to Charleston with his wife Peggy and began working with SCE&G as a gas specialist, retiring after 20 years of service. He then opened RCM Construction Company in 1978 and built many homes in the Crowfield area and throughout Summerville. He also created a company with his best friend and brother Barry, called BR’s Clearing and Grading that Barry still owns today.
Roy and Peggy retired to Greenville, South Carolina to travel around the globe, garden, and spend time visiting with family. He was also an active member and trustee of the Disciples United Methodist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.
Roy is survived by his loving wife, Peggy, his brothers Barry Milligan of Moncks Corner, and Truett Milligan of Chicago, Illinois, his children Rose Milligan Harmon (Fred) of Anchorage, Alaska, Kathy Milligan Segars (Dan) of Toccoa, Georgia and Michael Roy Milligan (Amy) of Mauldin. He has five grandchildren, Dr. Ashley Harmon McMillan (Matt) of Anchorage Alaska, Sarah Harmon Williams (Dan) of Evanston, Illinois, Taylor Harmon of Anchorage, Alaska, and Kaitlyn Milligan and Ryan Milligan of Mauldin. He was also blessed with three great grandsons, Burke Roy McMillan of Anchorage, Alaska, Frederick Elias Williams and Cooper Thomas Williams, of Evanston, Illinois.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 5 at Disciples United Methodist Church, 185 Riley Smith Drive, Greenville, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, Roy asks for donations to be sent to: Cancer Society of Greenville, 113 Mills Avenue, Greenville, SC, 29605, click here, or Disciples United Methodist Church, 185 Riley Smith Road, Greenville, SC 29615.
