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Former Ernest Ward High Football Coach Killed In Wreck
May 14, 2015
A former Ernest Ward High School football coach was killed in a single vehicle crash Tuesday night on I-10 in Okaloosa County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 56-year old Arthur McMillion of Milton was traveling eastbound on I-10 when he lost control of his 1999 Chevrolet Silverado about 9:24 p.m. Tuesday. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned, ejecting McMillion. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt.
McMillion was a teacher and football coach at the former Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill from 1984 to 1992. He served Ernest Ward as head football coach and athletic director for four seasons, from 1989-1992. He left Ernest Ward to become head football coach at Milton High School, and was currently the dean at Hobbs Middle School in Milton. His educational career spanned over 30 years, with over 20 of those years in Santa Rosa County.
Comments
26 Responses to “Former Ernest Ward High Football Coach Killed In Wreck”
Coach Mac McMillion was more than a coach.He was a mentor for REAL MEN! He made wimps to prosper into great men that learned what competition was all about. Both he and Gary Loggins did so. I had the enjoyment of traveling to the state weightlifting competition. I learned the man he was outside of school. Coach Mac always made us lift weights at least two days a week so that we wouldn’t be “sissies”. Remember “one man stud”, Rugby, football without the flags (tackle football”) and wrestling on the mats in the lobby. My last time with coach Mac was during 1993 at the state weightlifting championships with myself, Bobby Franklin, Michael McDaniel, Chris Brown, and Robbie (Robby) Barrow. And hey Richard Weeks… you cut from the baseball team and I left to go to ECHS baseball team and we beat you at your home field! I was responsible for two of those runs. We beat you 6-4. That was the greatest success against you! Coach Mac was the OG as far as coaches. He was the real deal!
I REMEMBER COACH MAC FROM ERNEST WARD NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT FOOTBALL COACH HE WAS A VERY GOOD BASKETBALL PLAYER TO, I LOVED IT WHEN HE WOULD PLAY BASKETBALL WITH US AT SCHOOL I HAVE NOT SEEN HIM SINCE I GRADUATED IN 1992 BUT I HAVE WONDERED ABOUT HIM THRU THE YEARS AND WHAT HE WAS DOING IM SO SORRY FOR THE FAMILY YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
Coach Mac was a great man. I played football for him at MHS. He will be truly missed by his family, friends and this community.
Barb
It was devastating to hear about Coach Mac. Our prayers are with you and your family. He had impacted many lives on & off the field. He will truly be missed.
Vicki sends her love and prayers to you and your family. In times like these we need to hold on to God’s strength to get us through.
Doug & Vicki
@ Mom. Thank you for your opinion.
Molino Jim….if you’d like to express your condolences to his friends and family, I’m sure they’d thank you, but you never do so by adding a “but” and then stating your opinion on the death. Anyone who is anyone knows it may have been prevented. You don’t have to make it sound the way you’d is. Also, I’m from here and never consider Okaloosa part of “around here”…Okaloosa is “over there”.
@ Mom- I’m aware where the accident happen. Some of us consider Okaloosa and Santa Rosa county as part of “this area”. I did not say Escambia or Molino. The sadness that comes from the loss of a wonderful person like “Coach” was my point.
So sorry to hear about Coach Mac. We coached/taught football together at Ernest Ward. I spent alot of time with Mike as a friend and co-worker. My prayers go out to his wife and family.
Molino Jim….it didn’t happen here. It happened in Okaloosa County. FYI….it says so in the article
Barb,
I was devastated to learn of Mac’s death. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. He truly made an impact on so many people. Nikki called me and she sends her love also. You will be remembered daily in our thoughts.
With love,
Carole
From the news coverage and testimonials, you can see what a positive impact Coach Mac had on his students and players. I can tell he will be sorely missed by all those he worked with, coached, and mentored. He will also be missed by many others he came in contact with.
Mac and the family were our neighbors when he coached at EWHS and later as an assistant at MHS. Our kids were all young and similar ages. We enjoyed many “get togethers” for a cookout, a day at the beach, even a camping trip, or just hanging out. What a wonderful family and what a great guy! Mac always seemed to make everyone laugh. Whenever there was a “get together” with several families, he seemed to be the center of attention. People enjoyed his company. He had a great sense of humor and was a lot of fun to be around.
Both families ended up leaving that neighborhood after several years and we kept in touch less and less as the years rolled by, and we got caught up in life. But I can honestly say, those were some of the best years of my life. We often think back of times when the kids were young and many of the best memories were with the McMillions, and for me personally times hanging out with Mac.
Thoughts and prayers are with Barb, the kids, and the extended family. We grieve with you.
Heartbreaking. He was such an inspiration to so many. Praying for his family. He will be greatly missed.
I’m sorry for the family and friends. But this is about the sixth person killed in a wreck in this area in the last week where they were ejected from the vehicle. When will people remember they save their family and friends so much sorrow by clicking the belt.
Sad news. Really sorry to hear. He was a good mentor and coach At Milton High. He will be missed.
Very sad to hear the news about Coach Mac. He definitely touched many lifes in such a positive ways. I was in his weightlifting class when he was coach a Milton High School, he was a amazing teacher, mentor, coach and most of all friend. He definitely straightened me out when I got to Milton High School, I can remember trying to be a class clown and him making me run bleachers and sit ups or running around the football field a thousand times. Eventually we warmed up to each other. I can say Coach Mac definitely had a impact on who I am today. He always told me to” have a positive attitude and what ever you do never give up, always give it all you got. Most importantly never thank of your self as a loser, you are always a winner.” Thanks you Couch Mac you will be missed. Your family is in my prayers.
This is so sad!! Prayers for Barb and his kids!!
What an awesome man. I had the pleasure of knowing his two daughters as well as working with him at Hobbs. Coach will be greatly missed.
Praying for Family.
God has called home a great man a good coach a great mentor & a father figure to many and he will be greatly missed. My Heart goes out to the McMillion Family.
He sure could swing a paddle and I deserved it. He was the person that believed in me and set my goals high.Going to be truly missed. Prayers go out to the family.
So sad to hear of his passing. Not only did I graduate from Ernest Ward when he was there I got the pleasure of driving his girls at Ransom.
May God give you His peace as you go forward. Your family will be in my prayers.
Coach Mac will be greatly missed. He was a wonderful teacher, coach and mentor. Prayers to his family during this very difficult time!!!
I am very sad to hear this news. Coach Mac was the rare coach who took an interest in all of his students, not just those blessed with athletic ability. He was universally loved at EWHS and will be sorely missed.
Coach Mac was a great coach and teacher. I am so grateful that I was able to know him. I was a middle school student at EWHS when he was head football coach. He had a positive attitude in everything he did. He made a lasting impact on those students he was around. My prayers go out to his family. He will truly be missed.
Coach Mac as we called him at Milton High when my sons played was a good man,,,He will be truly missed
“Coach Mac”
Coach you will truly be missed. You gave so much to everyone you’ve coached and mentored. Thank you for the life lessons on and off the field.
I graduated from EWHS in 1987 and Coach Mac was there my Junior year at least. He was the head basketball coach. Coach Mac had a positive attitude always and it made you want to have one also. He was a wonderful man and his family will be in my prayers.