William Grawn Milliken (March 26, 1922 – October 18, 2019) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 44th governor of Michigan from 1969 to 1983.

A member of the Republican Party, he assumed the governorship following the resignation of George Romney and went on to win three terms in 1970, 1974, and 1978,[a] becoming the longest-serving governor in Michigan history.

[3] After graduating magna cum laude from Traverse City Senior High School,[4][5][6] Milliken entered Yale University, where he met his future wife, Helen Wallbank.

During World War II, he flew 50 combat missions as a waist-gunner on B-24 bombers and survived two crash landings.

The couple had two children: a daughter, Elaine, a lawyer and feminist who died of cancer in 1993; and a son William, Jr.

He succeeded to the position of governor after George W. Romney resigned from office to serve in President Richard Nixon's cabinet.

[citation needed] As Governor for 14 years, Milliken is the longest-serving man in that position in state history.

"[18] In August 2016, Milliken announced that he would vote for Hillary Clinton for president in the 2016 presidential election, saying that Donald Trump does not embody Republican ideals.

In 2010, he endorsed businessman Rick Snyder in the Republican gubernatorial primary, and continued to support him in the general election.

[21] In the 2014 Senate election, he supported Democrat Gary Peters over the Republican nominee Terri Lynn Land.