A Word from the Head Iguana
The Iguana Squad lost a dear friend and trusted leader.
Bill Millburn
October 6, 1951 - August 18, 2024
Bill Milburn was not only my friend, but he was also my partner in mission work. Bill has been an integral part of our effort in Belize since our first trip twenty-two years ago. God blessed Bill with many outstanding talents and traits, among which included (1) a desire to help people when they needed it most, (2) the ability to repair anything mechanical, (3) the know-how to construct what was needed, (4) the drive to finish a task once he started it, (5) the ability to lead a group of people to achieve a goal, (6) a compassionate heart toward his fellow human being, and (7) a strong, never-wavering commitment to God. All these things were best seen when he directed his attention to our mission work.
Bill was the first to sign up for our first trip to Belize in 2002, during which we named our group The Iguana Squad. It was a name that stuck, and he was proud to be an active member of the team. Bill was always the first to sign up for every construction mission thereafter. He was instrumental a few years later when we officially registered The Iguana Squad as a government-recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in which he served on the Board of Directors until his passing.
He made friends easily in Belize and the love he showed to others was returned to him in full measure. To the best of my recollection, he served as our project manager for twenty-two construction missions. He loved his adoptive country, and he cherished his friendships with the Belizean people. He told me once, “The first time I went to Belize was because it seemed like the right thing to do. After that, I went to help my Belizean friends build a school for their children.”
Under Bill’s leadership, The Iguana Squad has completed construction on enough classroom space to accommodate over a thousand kids in faith-based schools all over the country. These children are not only receiving their government-mandated curriculum, but they are being taught Judeo-Christian principles as well. Think about it! A thousand children in the classrooms are replaced by another thousand children every year, year-after-year, so that literally tens of thousands of children are influenced by the work of Bill Milburn-led construction teams. He leaves a powerful legacy behind him.
And so, I celebrate Bill Milburn today with his “git ‘er done” attitude and his selfless acts of kindness that he leaves in his wake. My life is richer because of Bill Milburn. Well done, my friend. You will be missed. Heaven has gained a treasure.
Many photos have been taken of Bill, but this one is my favorite. Another hot and tiring workday, and he only stopped long enough to pour a cup of water on his head.