Michael Killian Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Michael Killian
Start: 2024-06-22T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Unitarian Fellowship of Fredericksburg

Michael Killian

February 20, 1951 - May 22, 2024

Michael David Killian, age 73, died in Spotsylvania County, on May 22, 2024, after a courageous battle with brain cancer; family and friends were by his side.

Michael "Mike" was born on February 20, 1951, in Lincolnton, NC, to William David and Helen (Houser) Killian. He graduated from West Lincoln High School in 1969, and attended UNC-Chapel Hill. After serving in the U.S. Army (1972-1974), he returned to college to finish his degree at NC State University (Horticultural Science). After working for the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service, he obtained a Master's degree in Entomology from NC State University. On May 23, 1981, Mike married Joella Marie Chambers. Mike and Joella enjoyed their life together, traveling and exploring the natural world. Mike taught biology and chemistry at Courtland High School in Spotsylvania County and finished his teaching career at the University of Mary Washington as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences. Mike was a plant person at heart, but he loved to go fishing and play in any river, stream, swamp, or marsh. He liked to believe that musical theater was the highest art form and regularly attended productions at UMW and the Riverside Dinner Theater. Mike was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg and Fredericksburg Secular Humanists.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Joella; brothers, Jeff (Barbara) and Steve (Ann); sister, Susan (John) Sutton; nephew, Matt Bowman Killian; and nieces, Kathryn Elizabeth Sutton and Amy Lynne Sutton.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 22nd, at the Unitarian Fellowship of Fredericksburg, 25 Chalice Circle, Fredericksburg. Contributions in memory of Mike Killian may be made to the Killian Theatre Scholarship (giving.umw.edu or UMW Advancement Services at (540) 654-1024), or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Free Lance - Star on Jun. 9, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Killian

7 Entries

Brant Hart

December 3, 2024

I was Mike's roommate at UNC during our Freshman year at UNC (1969-70) and part of our sophomore year. I lost track of him after that. I just learned about his death from the latest edition of UNC's Alumni Magazine. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you.

Janice Feagan

June 21, 2024

Mike was so kind and generous to me and to SCDC.

At one of our birthday parties, he was the only male who was brave enough to wear a fairy halo with blinking lights and ribbons!!

What a brave and wonderful man!

Marshall Vogt, UMW `07

June 13, 2024

I had a chance to interview Mr. Killian about his service in the US Army as part of a project for Folklore class while I attended Mary Washington. I will always be grateful for his willingness to help me. While I never had him as an instructor, I enjoyed chatting with him while in the science building and around campus and also recall getting to visit the Killian´s house while collecting insects for Entomology.

Dr. Killian, please accept my sincere condolences and know I am thinking of you and your friends and family.

Marlene Windsor-Haegele

June 10, 2024

Mr. Killian was my Biology teacher at Courtland High School and I thought the world of him. He signed my yearbooks "As the President of my fan club" lol. I bought him a tie with my babysitting money because he was so nice and I easy to talk to. Funny story I had his class for 1st period and I was tardy alot trying not to disect animals first thing in the morning and he wrote me up and I was sent to the Principal's office. When Mr. Noakes told me Mr. Killian wrote me up I was shocked and teased him, "How could you write me up, your favorite student ? I bought you a tie! "
I'm so sorry to read of his passing, but I'm blessed to have known him and will never forget him.

Michael Lippard

June 10, 2024

Michael and I became friends at the beginning of the ninth grade. We discussed ideas, listened to music, played basketball, fished, hiked, and rode motorcycles together. He was an usher when I got married the first time, and I had the joy of officiating at his and Joella's wedding. He introduced me to the Venus flycatcher. I learned a lot from Mike. Comfort and peace to all who loved him, especially Joella, Jeff, Steve, Susan, other family members, and friends.

Becky Hubbard

June 10, 2024

Joelle, our sincere condolences. ......
Rodney and Becky Hubbard

Edd Houck

June 9, 2024

While saddened to learn of Mike's death, I was blessed to have worked with him at Courtland High School for many years, where he enjoyed great respect from students and his colleagues. "Thanks, Mike, for our precious time together. It is one of my many blessings".

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