Hal Macon Miller

Hal Macon Miller, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was a lifelong resident of Raleigh. He was a 1955 graduate of Needham Broughton High School and a 1959 graduate of UNC at Chapel Hill.

Hal was accepted into the Aviation Candidate Program (OCS) in Pensacola, Florida and was commissioned as an Ensign in December 1960. He served in the Philippines at Cubi Pt. Naval Air Station and at Naval Air Station Chase Field in the jet training command in Beeville, Texas. While serving at Chase Field, he married Wilma Schleifer and was married 58 years at the time of her passing in August 2021.

Hal served seven and a half years in the Navy and resigned to enter the family business with his father in Raleigh. In 1972, Hal joined the administrative staff of the NC Community College System. He helped to develop the Hospitality Education program for the food service, hotel-restaurant, and tourism industries. When he retired, he was Assistant to the President of the System for Legislative Affairs, former NC Governor Bob Scott. In 1995, Hal was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for Legislative Success at the Federal level.

Hal retired from the Community College System in 1996 and joined the NC Association of Community College Trustees (NCACCT) as Associate Executive Director. He retired from NCACCT at the end of 1997.

He was a lifelong member of The Church of the Good Shepherd where he served twice on the Vestry. He and his wife were youth advisors to the Episcopal Young Churchmen (EYC) for 8 years. Hal was a delegate to the NC Episcopal Diocesan Convention in 1976. Hal and Wilma both served on the Kanuga Episcopal Camp and Conference Center Board of Visitors for 24 years.

He was a member of the Raleigh Kiwanis Club since 1972 and served a term as President of the Raleigh Kiwanis Club Foundation in 1976. Hal was a volunteer at the Special Olympics World Games in Raleigh in 1980. Hal was President of the Raleigh Executives Club from 2008-2012. He was a member of the Research Triangle Amputee Support Group and the NC Auditory Learning Council.

Hal was a loving stepfather to their three children, Mark, Jill, and Cheri. He was a friend to all, a giving and charitable neighbor and humanitarian. He was a lover of animals, especially cats and dogs. Hal was a faithful UNC supporter and had football season tickets for many years. He enjoyed surf fishing and walking on the beach.

Hal was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; two of the children (Mark and Jill); his parents, Merrill and Hallie Miller; his brother, Merrill Miller, Jr.; his niece, Katie Miller; and his grandson, Brian Griffin.

He is survived by his daughter, Cheri (John) Maiorano Cowart; grand-daughter, Kristen (Blake) McKinlay; grandson, Michael Maiorano; and great-granddaughter, Mila Rose McKinlay; along with many extended family members.

A funeral service will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh on Saturday, June 11 at 10:00 am, with burial at Oakwood Cemetery immediately following. A reception honoring both Hal and Wilma will follow at Springmoor Continuing Care Retirement Center, South Village from 2:00-3:30 pm. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615 or to The Church of the Good Shepherd, 121 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Services are provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh.