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Trinity Baptist plans pastor's retirement celebration

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By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: June 24, 2009

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, William D. Millican, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, will hang up his preacher's robe after 50 years. But leaving the area he has grown to love is not in his plans.

"We plan to settle here instead of going back to Texas because we like the community so much," the Millican said. "That's hard for a Texan to say, but we really like it here - the people. There is such a good mixture of people in Sun City Center."

Millican, who has also lived in the Chicago area, will retire at the end of June after 15 years at Trinity Baptist, 702 Del Webb Blvd. West. A retirement celebration in honor of him and his wife, Darlene, will take place at the church June 28 at 7 p.m., just after the 6 p.m. evening service. The public is invited.

"I am 74," Millican said. "I thought it was about time. I will miss just the interaction in the church as a pastor."

He said some of his greatest successes include a building expansion that added 200 seats to the sanctuary, which now holds 500. They also doubled the size of the fellowship hall.

"Growth has been continuous," he said, adding he thinks new retirees will add to the church numbers. "The boomers are not as much church-goers but they are very reachable. They are open to talk about it."

He described his church as a group of caring, loving believers.

"Most people who come here are amazed by how caring people are. They want to be a friend. It's a good place to make real good friends, quickly."

His wife, Darlene, said she loves living in Sun City Center. However, she wonders just how well her husband will adjust to retirement.

"I think it will be a big change for him," Darlene said. "He will become more active in the sports. He plays softball and tennis. He is going to play volleyball and pingpong."

She said they will continue to attend Trinity.

"That's going to be the hardest thing -- going back with a different role," she said, adding they will host small group Bible studies in their home. He will also fill in when other pastors go on vacation.

An interim pastor will arrive at Trinity the first of July. A committee is conducting a search for a permanent replacement.

John and Bobbie Sagraves of Sun City Center said they have always admired Millican.

"He is truly a pastor," John said. "I've never seen anything except what a pastor should be. He lives what he preaches."

Bobbie has known Millican for 40 years, first as a neighbor and later from his role in the pulpit.

"We lived across the street from him in Chicago," she said. "He is very mild mannered. He is just kind and gentle - a great pastor."

For more information on the retirement celebration, call (813) 634-4228.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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