John Josiah "Joe" Miller

John Josiah Miller (Joe), 90, of Lenoir, NC died Dec. 14. Joe was born in Mateo, VA, and was raised by his grandmother in Glenmore, VA. He was married to the late Charlotte Gresham Miller for 64 years. They lived primarily in Richmond, VA.; Ocala, FL and in Winston-Salem, NC. Joe is survived by his daughter, Helen, his three sons Gary, Winston and Charles and a large extended family, including spouses, grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Joe worked for many years in the bowling alley industry and retired as VP of Major League Bowling Corporation.

During WWII, he served as a B-24 pilot with the 15th Air Force out of Italy where he flew 44 missions, including a number of them over the Ploiesti oil refineries in Romania. His planes were frequently hit by heavy flak, receiving as many as 150 holes in them on a single mission. In one case his plane lost three out of four engines. Although he was forced to crash land on two occasions, he always made it back to friendly territory and never once lost a crew member. The Distinguished Flying Cross is among the many honors he received. He later retired from the Air Force Reserve at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Joe was able to enjoy his final years to the fullest in the home of his faithful and loving daughter, Helen. She was assisted in taking care of him by his loyal and dedicated caregiver, Pamela Poarch, who also cared for Charlotte and is now considered a part of the Miller family.

Family and friends will celebrate Joe’s remarkable 90 years at a memorial service to be held on December 29th at 1:00 pm at his church, the Winston-Salem Friend’s Meeting on 3151 Reynolda Road in W-S, NC, 27106. The service will be followed by a reception at the church and an Honor Guard flag folding ceremony at Westlawn Gardens of Memory, 6135 Ridgecrest Rd in Clemmons, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Joe’s name to his church or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care at 902 Kirkwood Street, N.W. Lenoir, NC. 28645.