Toney McMillan

Toney Daniel McMillan, age 67, of Hot Springs died on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was predeceased by his father and mother, H. W. and Elizabeth Daniel McMillan, an elder brother, Henry William McMillan, Jr. and a sister Elizabeth McMillan; he is survived by a brother, David Williams McMillan of Nashville, Tennessee. Toney is also survived by his wife, Jill Jordan McMillan, and two sons: Daniel Kevin McMillan and his wife, Paige Duncan McMillan, and their children, Matt, Ben, and Alli of Martin, Tennessee; son Carter Jordan McMillan and his wife, Elizabeth McCarty McMillan, and two daughters, Sarah and Caroline, reside in Dallas, Texas.

Toney was a partner in McMillan, McCorkle, Curry, and Bennington law firm in Arkadelphia where he has practiced for the past 35 years. He was a member of the Arkansas Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Prior to the practice of law and in what he termed his "other life," Toney was a Presbyterian minister, serving churches in Eldorado and Kingsville, Texas, from 1967-1972. He graduated from Davidson College in 1963 and then attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His legal training was at the University of Arkansas from 1972-1975 before joining the firm founded in 1859 by his great grandfather.

Besides maintaining a thriving law practice, Toney proudly served as a trustee of the Ross Foundation of Arkadelphia and the Harper Family Foundation of Wimberly, Texas. Despite relinquishing his pastoral role in the early 1970's, he was committed to the Presbyterian Church and worked tirelessly on its behalf as an elder and lay leader. He was on the board of Louisville Theological Seminary and served Arkansas Presbytery as a member of the Committee on Ministry for many years. He was also well known in his local church as a dynamic Sunday School and Bible study teacher. A self-proclaimed "yellow dog Democrat," Toney was an avid reader and follower of state and national politics.

Despite his professional responsibilities and commitments, Toney's most satisfying role was as grandfather. Affectionately known as "Bobbu" to his five grandchildren, he spent many happy hours catching wiggly youngsters as they bounded from the dock of his Lake Hamilton home into the water and his waiting arms, sitting on his lap to drive the boat, or baking chocolate chip cookies after a day on the water. Matt, Ben, Sarah, Caroline, and Alli may miss him the most of all.

The memorial service for Toney will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25, at the First Presbyterian Church in Arkadelphia, with Reverends Kendal Land and William Galbraith officiating under the direction of Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. The family will visit with guests following the service. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Arkadelphia, Davidson College or a charity of choice. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Joseph Beck, Dr. Michael Ford, and the caring nurses on the 10th floor at Baptist Hospital.