Bill was born in Dallas, Texas on December 29, 1926. His father was a barber and his mother was a housewife. Bill attended school in Dallas and always lived in Dallas. His father died when he was 14 and he worked to help support his mother. When he decided to enlist in the United States Navy, a neighbor advised him on which service to enroll in and other things he needed to know. His mother had to sign for him to enlist as he had not quite reached the age of 18.
His career in the Navy started in NTC, San Diego, California, Cub 19, Navy 3912, USS HERBERT J. THOMAS (DD833) USS CASCADE (AD 16), December 12, 1944. Remarks on his discharge says Point System, 6 months Sea Duty, Seaman 1c, American Area Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Area, World War II Victory, Stationed on a Radar Picket Ship in Sasebo, Japan in the Occupational Forces.
Bill was discharged at Camp Wallace, Texas with an Honorable Discharge on May 11, 1946. When he came back to Dallas his first act was to go back to Neiman Marcus where they had held his position until his return. He later applied to Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and was an employee there until his retirement in August 1983.
Bill met Jerry in 1959 and they were married in November 1961 at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church. Bill has a long history of serving the Lord and at a young age became a Deacon. Then after his marriage to Jerry he became a deacon at Forest Meadow Baptist Church. He worked in Prestonwood Baptist Church for a long time and in 2000 he and Jerry bought a home in Mt Pleasant where they continued for 20 years to be active members of South Jefferson Baptist Church while still living and working Dallas.
Their daughter, Deborah, passed away in May 2009. They have two grandsons and five great-grandchildren.
While Bill did not finish his education while young, he is now attending the University of Texas in Dallas in the third semester studying English. He says maybe having a massive stroke is not so bad after all.
Bill and Jerry still enjoy working. They started working in real estate even before they knew each other and still enjoy this profession. They have in the past several years had some health issues but it does not keep them from loving the Lord. People always ask them the success of a 67 year marriage, they tell people to serve and love the Lord and he will provide the rest. Bill was a member of Oddfellows for over 70 years and was Grand Master of Texas and was also the Chief of the Dallas Emergency Corps for several years.
A visitation for Billie will be held Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at South Jefferson Baptist Church, 1701 S Jefferson Ave, Mt Pleasant, Texas 75455. A funeral service will occur Friday, September 25, 2020 at 10:00 AM, 1701 S Jefferson Ave, Mt Pleasant, Texas 75455. A committal service will occur Friday, September 25, 2020 at 3:00 PM at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75228.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Grove-Hill.com for the Miller family.
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