Millard George Mier
- Published: November 6, 2025
Millard George Mier, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. He was born on Nov. 26, 1935, to Millard M. and Katherine (Davidson) Mier in Glendale, California. Millard grew up on an orange grove in Glendora, California, and spent his teen years on the beach while living in Newport Beach, California. Millard attended Newport Union High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1953.
Millard continued his education at Occidental College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1957. He enrolled at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, where he met Marilyn Sarah “Sally” McHenry during convocation. Millard and Sally were married on Sept. 1, 1960, and in 1967, Millard received his doctorate in physics and mathematics.
After a brief foray in academia, Millard recognized that his calling was in research, not education. He worked for Owens-Corning Fiberglass in Granville, Ohio, before spending 37 years as a research physicist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Millard’s proudest professional moment came in 1989 when he was awarded a patent for automated measurement of gallium arsenide wafers. He would smile as he proclaimed, “engineers get patents, physicists do not.”
In 1968, as a new Wright-Patterson employee, Millard approached base housing for suggestions on where to establish a permanent home near his work. He was given several suggestions, but was told, “Whatever you do, do not live in Yellow Springs.” Millard and Sally immediately visited the village and fell in love with its charm. They narrowed their search to only Yellow Springs, and in 1969, they purchased a home. Millard and Sally enjoyed their life together in Yellow Springs for 47 years before moving to an assisted living facility in Kettering.
While in Yellow Springs, Millard was a leader in Indian Guides and Webelos. He was a long-time actor, board member and “general grunt” for Yellow Springs Center Stage. He loved square dancing with Sally, and he made his own wine. In 1972 he won first place at the Ohio Wine Festival for his cherry wine.
Millard had a lifelong passion for music and supported the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Music Yellow Springs. Millard played in the Yellow Springs Community Band and later in the Kettering Civic Band. He was also an amateur radio operator (KC8KXN).
After retirement, he enjoyed travels with Sally and cultivated the image of a little old man driving a Miata sports car. He was active in the Yellow Springs Cable Access Channel. Late in life, Millard developed a love for newspaper comics and collected them avidly.
Millard was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Sally; his parents, Millard and Katherine; two sisters; and nine cousins. He is survived by his children, Millard Mier III, of Oakwood, Ohio, and Leah (Michael) Becknell, of White Salmon, Washington; grandchildren, Shannon Palmer (Jamal Stephenson), of Cincinnati, Ohio, Joshua Palmer (Felicia), of Rockdale, Texas, and Daniel Mier, of Oakwood, Ohio; and four great-grandchildren.
A private family service will be held in California in the spring. Millard and Sally’s remains will be interred next to his parents in the family plot in Glendale, California. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dayton Philharmonic or Chamber Music Yellow Springs.
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