Mullins- J. Paul McMillan, 83, died Monday, May 27, 2013 at his residence in Mullins following an extended illness. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Shirley Barfield McMillan; his son, John P. McMillan Jr. of Manassas, VA; his daughter, Marilyn M. Creech, and her husband, Floyd of Mullins; three grandchildren, Gabriel, Seth and Grace Creech of Mullins; his brother, Neil M. McMillan of Black Mountain, NC; many nephews and nieces and a caregiver during his illness, Virginia Henry. Mr. McMillan was born April 29, 1930 in Mullins, a son of George and Sallie Reames McMillan, and was a lifelong resident of Marion County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Neilie Elizabeth Betsy Huggins, William Vandyke McMillan, Sr., Davis Reames McMillan, Joseph James McMillan, George Russell McMillan, Douglas Wilson McMillan, Rene Symmes McMillan, and Eunice Louise McMillan. He attended Clemson University, graduating in 1953 with a bachelors degree in Animal Husbandry. He returned to Mullins to work on the family farm, George R. McMillan & Sons, with his father and older brothers. He and his wife, Shirley, were married on New Years Day 1958. Mr. McMillan specialized in raising cattle, maintaining a 225 acre ranch in the Millers Community of Mullins. Mr. McMillan was a member of the Mullins Presbyterian Church for more than 65 years, and elected by his congregation to multiple terms as both a Deacon and as a Ruling Elder. He also taught one of the adult Sunday school classes for more than a quarter of a century until his illness precluded him from performing that duty. In 2012 he was awarded the honorary status of Elder Emeritus, the first person to obtain that distinction since his father, George, was awarded the status in 1970. In addition, Mr. McMillan was a long time member of the Marion Camp of Gideons International, in which he served numerous terms as an officer, including President and Treasurer. Mr. Paul is fondly remembered for riding around Mullins in his pickup truck with his ferocious Chihuahua, Clover. He took great pride in having his farm and household landscape in pristine condition. He loved to work and always had a project at hand. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28 from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at Meares Funeral Home in Mullins. A funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m., May 29 at the Mullins Presbyterian Church directed by Meares Funeral Home of Mullins with burial to follow in the McMillan Family Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to Mullins Presbyterian Church, 809 Sandy Bluff Rd., Mullins, S.C. 29574 or The Gideons International. A message of condolence for the family may be left at mearesfh.com.