Wilson Daniel Miles Jr

September 23, 1939 - July 23, 2020

Wilson Daniel Miles, Jr, 80, known to his family and friends as Danny, passed away last Thursday, July 23rd, 2020. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by virtue of his father, Wilson Daniel ("Dee") Miles, Sr. playing Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia A's during the 1939 baseball season. The Miles family (Dee, Kathleen, Rose and Danny) returned to Alabama in the early 40's where Danny lived until his death. He attended John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham, Al., where he was an honor student, football / baseball player and Vice President of his senior class in 1957. He met Brenda Adrey while attending John Carroll and she became his first wife while he was a student at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Danny ultimately graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham with an accounting degree. He had a career as a banker, a business owner and as a tax accountant until he retired. He was an avid reader of books and a lover of nature, including his many dogs and cats. He was a perpetual student of Native American Indian history and Alabama history. In his younger years he was a motorcycle enthusiast and owned a motorcycle business, Birmingham Cycle Company, a Kawasaki dealership, for over 10 years. Danny raced motorcycles competitively during that same time, a passion he shared with his sons. He was passionate about the preservation of Alabama’s beautiful white beaches and blue gulf waters. He passed these personal loves to his children and grandchildren. Danny was preceded in death by his father, Wilson Daniel “Dee” Miles, Sr., and his mother, Kathleen Miles Jackson. He is survived by his first wife, Brenda A. Miles; their daughter, Audrey “Chip” Ward and husband, Randy; their two sons, Wilson Daniel “Dee” Miles, III, and wife, Sandra, and Sean Thomas Miles; their 7 grandchildren, Amy Lawrence and husband, Mark; Brenda Vickers and husband, Nathan; Lauren Kelley and husband, Winn; Patrick Ward, Mary Frances Martin and husband, Dylan; Wilson Miles and Evan Miles; their 2 great-grandchildren, Adam Vickers and Olive Vickers; a sister, Rosalie “Rose” Jonas and husband, Mike; and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be officiated by The Reverend Monsignor Charles Troncale, a high-school and family friend, on Saturday, August 1st, at Ridout’s Valley Chapel located in Homewood. Because of the limitations mandated by the CDC regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the funeral service is limited to immediate family only; however, family members or friends may request an email invitation to view the service on-line by clicking the link provided on the website.