McMillin

Larry Bryan McMillin, 77, of Slippery Rock, passed away under the compassionate care of the Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born May 21, 1949, in Butler, son of the late Laverne McMillin Sr. and Margaret R. (Carson) McMillin.

Larry was a devoted husband of 50 years, loving father and cherished Pappy. To his close friends, Butch, Cecil, Snipe and Bubby, he will always be Tubs. He was fearlessly loyal to his family, friends and country.

Larry graduated Butler High School in 1967, and he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training at Fort Dix, in New Jersey, and infantry training at Fort Jackson, in North Carolina, he was deployed to Germany, then to Vietnam, where he served two tours from 1968 to 1969.

He served with the 1st Cavalry Division Airmobile “First Team” in B Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, and later transferred to B Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion “Killerspade 698,” an elite aviation unit of UH-1 Huey helicopters that flew continuous, high-risk airmobile insertions, medical evacuations and combat assaults. Larry served as the helicopter door gunner on the “Blue Womb 698” UH-1 Huey. After Vietnam, he served as a drill sergeant E-5, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, in Missouri, and retired from the military in 1971. Larry received numerous honors during his service, including: three Bronze Stars, one with valor for extreme bravery under direct enemy fire; two Purple Hearts; and the Air Medal.

Larry was a skilled overhead welder at Pullman-Standard in Butler until the late 1970s, when he transitioned to the United States Post Office as a rural carrier, from which he would later retire.

He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and was a competitive archer who won many awards, including first place in the Pennsylvania State Archery Association in 1983, with a “Robin Hood shot.” He was a licensed fur trapper for beaver in restricted areas of Jennings Environmental Education Center.

He belonged to many organizations, including the East Butler Fishing and Hunting Club, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 427, VFW Post 1424 and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association.

Most of all, Larry loved spending time with his family. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loved, and he will be deeply missed forever and a day.

Surviving are his son, Bryan Joseph (Amy) McMillin, of Slippery Rock; a daughter, Kelly Ann (Mike) McMillin-Kilroy, of New Wilmington; grandchildren, Samantha Ann (Joseph) Long, Mackenzie Marie McMillin, Karaline Grace Wagner and Briana Josephine McMillin; one great-grandchild, Shelby; a sister, Susan (Tim) Johnston, of Connoquenessing; and lifelong friend, Chuck “Butch” Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his faithful and beloved wife, Mary Ann Francis (Salopek) McMillin, whom he married Jan. 8, 1972; a beloved son, Scott Larry McMillin “The Ba”; his parents; three siblings, Patricia Brandt, Laverne E. McMillin Jr. and Richard McMillin; and his brother in arms, John D. Strate.

MCMILLIN — Friends of Larry Bryan McMillin, who died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at the funeral home.

Military honors will be accorded at the West Sunbury Union Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Butler Veterans Community Living Center Fund, Attn: Mary Ann Cuppazzi, 325 New Castle Road, Butler, PA 16001.

For more information, go to www.youngfuneralhomes.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.