William Allen Millis

William Allen Millis, 84, of Centennial, CO passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Allen was born on April 12, 1940, in Darby, Pennsylvania to Clifford and Ruth Millis. As a child and teen, Allen was an avid member of the Boy Scouts, progressing all the way to Eagle Scout. He graduated from Lansdowne-Aldan High School. He then attended college at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Administration in August 1964. He minored in Aircraft Maintenance Curriculum. Allen helped put himself through college as a private flight instructor or “by getting paid to have other people try to kill him” as his wife, Connie, would later say.

Allen met his wife of 59 years, Connie, at the University of Illinois in 1964 through their unknown matchmaker, a German Shepard named Moose. They were married March 14, 1965, in Naperville, IL.

Following the University of Illinois, Allen joined the United States Air Force as a Weapons Controller and served in California at Norton AFB, Havre AFS in Montana, and Osan AFB in South Korea. Upon leaving active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve and served as a Liaison Officer to the US Air Force Academy ending his service as a Captain.

After leaving the Air Force, Allen began working at United Air Lines in Minnesota in their reservations department. He later transferred to Chicago O’Hare and worked in Food Services. In the early 1980’s he and his family transferred to Denver, Colorado. At Denver’s Stapleton International Airport, he began a new job, training emergency procedures to United’s flight attendants. 

He later earned his master’s degree in Aeronautical Science with distinction from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical in December 2001.

He became a flight systems instructor, and then, he achieved his lifelong dream of being on the flight deck as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727. This later paved the way to First Officer on 737’s, 747’s, 757’s, and 767’s. He spent his final years with United as a pilot until he retired in 2000 due to FAA mandated retirement rules; without which he would still be flying today! Post retirement, Allen enjoyed volunteering at Denver Dumb Friends League and occasionally adding a few more pets to the Millis home. He also helped with Project Angel Heart, a charity dedicated to helping homebound folks in need of food.

Allen was a dedicated father and grandfather who was known for his sense of humor, generosity, and kindness. He is fondly remembered for his infectious smile and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Allen is survived by his wife, Connie Louise (Querry) Millis, their children William “Bill” (Nikki) Millis, Jr, Sally (Reynaldo) Villasana and Holly (David) Sprague. His grandchildren, Andrew Millis, Catherine “Katie” Millis, George Millis; Samantha “Sami” Villasana, Alexander “Alex” Villasana; Amanda (Sprague) (Kasen) Perreault and William “Will” Sprague.

Donations in Allen’s memory can be made to either Quilts of Valor or the Denver Dumb Friends League; Denver Dumb Friends League

 Please use the following link to view the Funeral Service via livestream: Millis Funeral Service