Longtime businessman Millard Oakley died this morning at the age of 91. Among many business ventures, Millard was instrumental in starting Crossville’s second radio station WCSV-AM.  Millard along with Mack Johnson built WCSV in 1968.  Since then Millard has done more in his life than most people ever dream of.

Oakley graduated from Livingston Academy in 1947 and then attended Tennessee Tech. Oakley graduated from Cumberland University Law School in 1951 and began practicing law. He worked in his Main Street law office most days into his 90s.

He served in the state legislature, was General Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Select Committee on Small Business, and became the state Insurance Commissioner. Millard was integral in forming First National Bank of Tennessee with offices in Crossville, Livingston, Cookeville and Sparta.

Oakley often said his first job in business was shining shoes on the downtown streets of Livingston. He was involved in numerous business projects including ownership of WLIV Radio until two years ago. Recently, he gave Cumberland University the largest donation in the school’s history. The $5 million gift includes the naming of the School of Humanities, Education and the Arts.