William “Bill” Miller was born in rural Neosho County on April 25th in 1923. His family, aunts, uncles and cousins lived in southeast Kansas. One of nine children, he grew up attending small school houses and enjoying being one of nine children among the Miller clan. Growing up in the Great Depression had a lasting effect on him. He knew what hard times were and never took a warm meal and solid roof overhead for granted. He also learned to value his family above all else.
He left high school in order to work and help support his family. He was caught up in the outside world when he became part of the US war effort. He was a member of the 110th AAA battalion, a mobile anti aircraft unit. When his unit crossed the Atlantic, he did so on the Queen Mary, helping to man the ship’s guns. He landed in England and awaited the invasion. When it came, his unit landed on Omaha Beach on D-day, participating in securing the beachhead. The 110th proceeded throughout France, Belgium and into Germany. “WE” as he was known in the army, was a loader and assistant driver, as well as being classified as a marksman. His unit was integral in the battle of St Lo, and the break out at Remagen. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge where the 110th turned their guns on oncoming German tanks. During the course of the war, his unit destroyed 65 enemy planes in 601 aerial engagements, had 22 ground engagements destroying 11 tanks, 80 armored and motorized vehicles and enemy installations too numerous to list. His unit shot down the first German jet fighter. The 110th while reconnoitering, was the first unit to enter Paris through the Pont d’Orleans, progressing to the Luxembourg Gardens before being stopped by heavy German fire. They stayed on the front lines and were en route to Berlin when Germany fell. After VE day they secured and guarded Nazi and SS prisoners.
Bill returned from the war to find work where he could. He took jobs where he found them. Working as a truck driver or equipment operator. He didn’t mind hard work.
In 1947, at a dance, he met a friend of his sister Marie. He swept Betty Burk off her feet. They married and soon had a growing family. Looking for work to support his family, he ended up taking a job at Fort Riley as a pipe fitter and ending his career as a boiler plant operator at Irwin Army Hospital. He brought his wife and 5 children, soon to be 6, to the Flint Hills, renting an old farm house from Madeline and Charlie Casper, settling into a farm community with neighbors that would become great friends.
That’s where he would live and work for the rest of his life. Enjoying frequent visits from extended family, taking his children, nieces and nephews hunting, fishing and camping.
And then there were the auctions. He loved to find a bargain or a “treasure”. Bringing home more than could be counted. It was a common occurrence for a niece or nephew to visit and say they were thinking of doing a project or repair but needed a particular item. Bill would say “well let’s go look over here”, reach into a pile and pull out exactly what was needed.
He lost many family members over the years. He hadn’t planned to out live his brothers, Betty or his two eldest sons, but he took it and kept going, treasuring what he had all the more. He took joy in visits from friends and family. While he thought a loaf of bread should still cost 25 cents, he enjoyed his cell phone and being able to call his sisters, nieces and nephews without having to “pay long distance”.
In April, he celebrated his 95th birthday, surrounded by family and friends. That’s what he truly treasured and that is what he still has…surrounded by Betty, Larry, Steve, Lourene, Walter Sr., Kenny, Bob, Junior, Ed, Louis and many great friends and relatives. What a get together that will never end.
We’ll see you there Dad—Carole, Chris, Tim and Jeanne