Walter "Durham" Milburn

Walter “Durham” Milburn, 88, loving husband of 42 years to June Thompson Milburn, entered into his eternal rest Tuesday afternoon, August 8, 2023.  Services to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00AM Monday morning, August 14, 2023 in the James Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Mike Collins officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow in the Waldens Church Cemetery in Avera.

A native of Jefferson County, Durham was one of four children born to the late Geneva Elizabeth Crum Milburn and the late Walter Ernest Milburn. He quit school after the 8^th grade to help out his family by working on the farm.  Having an adventuresome spirit, he always was busy living life at its fullest—being a golden glove boxer; using his mechanical abilities and his love for speed to build engines and race cars; flying an airplane; riding his motorcycles; riding horses; and pheasant hunting. He used his many talents in his various job opportunities—he worked at Clarks Hardware, the International tractor dealership in Louisville, the first manager for Brooks Auto/NAPA in Wrens, the owner/operator of Durham Milburn Trucking fleet which covered the mid-states to the east coast, inventory coordinator for TEAM Excavating, and commercial truck driver instructor for Oconee Fall-Line Technical College.  Being community minded, he wasa a past council member and past mayor of Edgehill.  In his younger years, he coached boys in the Wrens Dixie Youth Baseball. In his later years, Durham found pleasure in tinkering on various engines and his tractors, cutting grass, and travelling.  On Sundays, he loved watching NASCAR and hearing those engines roar. Foremost, Durham was a people-person and never met a stranger—his smile and easy-going attitude attracted people to him.  Everyone enjoyed hearing his laugh and the “stories” of his many adventures. A staunch patriot, Durham served 20+ years in the Army National Guard and was ready to serve in Germany when called up to active duty.  He was a 38-year member of the Wrens American Legion and a 20-year member of the SCV Camp 91.  Durham had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, faithfully serving him at Waldens Church.  His heart burst with love for his family and was the most content and happiest in their presence—each held a special place in his heart.  Even during his sufferings, Durham never lost his faith and love for his Savior—he trusted the Lord’s plan for his life explicitly.  Even though Durham will be missed and no one can fill the void he left, we are comforted by the fact that he is no longer suffering, has a new body and is experiencing true love, joy and peace in his eternal home in Heaven. 

Durham is also preceded in death by his son, Vince Milburn; granddaughters, Mindy Milburn and Samantha Avery; great granddaughter, Ella Reese Smith; and siblings, Jennie Milburn and Maron Milburn. Others left to cherish his memories include his children, Pamela M. Smith (Rodney), Valerie Shelton (Cecil), Amie Avery (Sammie), George Arrington (Lorie) and Kristie M. West; brother, Hiram Milburn; fourteen grandchildren, Jeff Smith (Shannon), Chase Smith (Katie), Matthew Milburn (Holly), Nicholas Milburn (Carlee), Nathan Chance, Rachel Spivey (Joseph), Zachery Hadden (Mekayla), Makenzie Avery, Harley Freeman (Caitlin), A.J. Freeman, Tommy Freeman (Jade), Dylan Carroll (Cheyenne) Katie West and Patrick West; 16 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other extended family, church family and many friends.  Serving as pallbearers are Jeff Smith, Chase Smith, Nathan Chance, A.J. Freeman, Dylan Carroll and Tyler Wiley. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the SCV Camp 91.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 4:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday evening, August 13, 2023.