Billy Merl Miller, U S Army-Retired

Mr. Miller, 80 cherished husband and father, beloved son and brother, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday April 28, 2010. Born July 9, 1929 in Honaker, Va., he was the son of the late Jettie Colman and Harry “Bill” Miller. Mr. Miller was one of nine children.

Billy retired from the US Army where he served more than twenty years including two tours to Vietnam, one where he was personal escort for General Douglas MacArthur, one tour in Korea and two tours to Germany as well as various stateside assignments. He worked as a railroad switchman the early years of his life in Chicago, IL. Mr. Miller earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Austin Peay University. After retiring from the Army at his last duty station of Fort Campbell, KY, he moved his family to the Johnson City area where he worked as a maintenance technician doing custodial work at West Hills Tractor, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Unaka Avenue Baptist Church: along side of his loving wife of sixty years, Mary.

Billy was a Sunday school teacher and involved in the prison ministry for Unaka Baptist Church and was an Evangelist until his health began to fail. He enjoyed spending time with his family, flea markets, reading, music, and was an avid Bible and clock collector. Mr. Miller never met a stranger and had a kind word or smile for all he encountered.

Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his parents, brother Carl, sisters, Louise, Elizabeth, Fern, and Patsy, daughter Margaret, sons Bobby and Billy Howard and son in-law Willie Belcher.

Mr. Miller is survived by his wife Mary of the home, a daughter Judy (Willie) Belcher of Vinton, Va, a daughter-in-law Cecelia (Billy Howard) Miller of Memphis, TN, a daughter Patty (Olen) Huneycutt of Stanfield, NC, a son Jamie (Heather) Miller of Cleveland, TX; eight grandchildren: David (Pam) Belcher of Vinton, VA, Michael (Melissa) Belcher of Boones Mill, VA, Eric Miller of Columbus, OH, Jeremy Hall of Greeneville, TN, Catherine (Andrew) Johnson of Taylors, SC, Ryan Miller and Joshua Miller of Memphis, TN and Jonathan Miller of Cleveland, TX. Eight great grandchildren: Sarah Belcher, Laura Belcher, Ben Belcher, Logan Belcher, Korena Hall, Sheldon Hall, Lea Belcher and Connor Johnson; also two step-grandchildren, Sean and Dane of Cleveland, TX; brothers, Cecil and Danny and a sister, Violet Sooter of OK, a brother-in-law, James (Gnett) Honaker of Lebanon, VA, brother-in-law, Sammie (Sue) Honaker of Pleasant Garden, NC; a nephew, Darrell (Angel) Hess of Lebanon, VA and numerous nieces and nephews in Oklahoma.

The family wishes to thank the staff of doctors, nurses and aides at the VA Mountain Home Medical Center for their care and dedication. We would also like to recognize Don and Dollie Walker and Donna Austin special family friends for their care and compassion.

Anyone can be a Father, few can be the “Daddy”, Billy Miller was. He taught his children to love God, each other and their fellow man. Our home was filled with love and laughter and shinning examples of what a Daddy should be to his children. Daddy, “you done good” with each of us and until we meet again in heaven your memory will live on in each of us, that was blessed to be your family.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Morris – Baker Funeral Home. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, April 30, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. at the Unaka Avenue Baptist Church, under the direction of Pastor Anthony Harris. A committal service will follow in the Mt. Home National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Military honors will be accorded by the Boone Dam VFW and the Tennessee National Guard.

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