N. Welby Millikan

Courtesy of Cumby Funeral Home/Trinity, NC

N. Welby Millikan, 90, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.He was born June 16, 1936, in Randolph County, the son of the late Nereus Millikan and Cora Cain Millikan. A resident of this area all his life, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and dedicated 20 years of honorable service to our nation. During his distinguished military career, he served bravely in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. After his military service, he went to work for Bulington Industries in their Aviation department, where he served for 26 years. He was a member of Mt. Vernon Church, where he was a member of the Willa Carter Sunday School Class and the Methodist Men. An avid pilot, Welby, found joy in the cockpit of his Cessna 172 or his 11AC white Aeronca. Flying was more than just a hobby for him; it was a passion, which he shared with many others.When he wasn't flying, he could most often be found on the water with a rod and reel in hand. He cherished his annual fishing trips with his closest friends, traveling everywhere from Alaska to the shores of Chesapeake, Virginia. Those trips were filled with early mornings, and camaraderie that lasted a lifetime. To his friends, he was not just a trusted fishing buddy, but a loyal confidant who was always ready with a helping hand and never met a stranger. He will be remembered as a Christian man with a servant’s heart, who loved his Lord, his family and his friends and will be dearly missed.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Vera McMahan Millikan, his sister, Louise Peace and a daughter in law, Vivian Millikan.Welby is survived by his sons, Greg Millikan of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Jeff Millikan (Linda) of Trinity; five grandchildren, Clark Millikan (Ana), Alex Millikan, Kay Millikan, Justin Millikan (Liann) and Kevin Millikan; two great-grandchildren, Kaiden and Kerrigan Millikan.A service celebrating Welby’s life will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2026, at Mt. Vernon Church with Reverend Dr. Caroline Franks officiating. His family will receive friends on Monday from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the church.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Welby’s memory may be made to Mt. Vernon Church, 9931 Archdale Road, Trinity, NC 27370 or to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point NC 27262.Online condolences may be made on Welby’s tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com. Services are in the care of Cumby Family Funeral service of Archdale.