Joseph Leon Milliorn, born May 4, 1921, went to join his wife of 67 years in heaven March 22, 2015. Shirley, the love of his life, died 7 days before Joseph. Dad grew up in Southern California with his parents, William and Olivia, and sister Lola. He excelled in his studies and was a member of the chess club and honor society in high school.

As a young man, Joe fought in WWII in the Navy as an Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class. Joe was stationed in the Japanese theater of the war and flew drones. His interest in aviation continued after the military. Joe worked for Northrup Grumman, McDonnell Douglas, Convair and General Dynamics. His career focused on missiles and aerospace. In his time away from work, he drew up house plans and had the house built, he did concrete and brick laying for retaining walls and a patio. He raised orchids from seedlings into beautiful flowing plants and cross bred them to create new flowers. Joe even built a hotrod from a 1942 Ford. After the decline of the space race, Joe worked for the County of San Diego as their Director of Building Services until retirement age.

At this time, he moved the family to "God's Country" to live within the beauty of the mountains, rivers, lakes and trees. He loved taking his children camping to show them all the beauty wilderness had to offer. And as a retiree, he still enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. Not one to remain completely idle in retirement, he became the Northwestern Manager for a small company producing radio amplifiers until his ultimate retirement at 92.

Joe married his wife Shirley in 1947. She was the love his life, and he was dearly devoted to her and her happiness. On their wedding day, Joe wrote Shirley this poem:

"When there is no more water in the ocean,

When there is no more sand on the desert

When there is no more sunshine on earth

That's when I stop loving you."

This love remained strong for 67 years of wedded bliss. They missed their 68th anniversary by a few weeks. Together they made a large family having 5 children of their own: Twins Dianne and Susanne, Joseph Jr. "Jay," Candy and Linda. They knew they still had more love to give and share, so they adopted Thomas and Bradley to make their family complete with 7 children. Joe was lovingly known as Grampy to his 14 grandchildren and Great-Grampy to his 14 great-grandchildren. He was immensely loved and adored by his family and will be sorely missed.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife Shirley; his daughters Candy Papach and Dianne Stephens Gindraux; and grandson Andrew Stephens. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Susanne Pilkington, Jay (Sherry) Milliorn, Linda (Steve) Smith, Tom Milliorn (Liane Sperlich), Brad Milliorn; and his sister Lola O'Brien.

Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Joe's online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.