Bill was born Aug. 20, 1930, in Enterprise, Alabama, to Leo and Georgia Miller. He spent much of his childhood in Pace, Florida, where he helped with the family farm which grew cotton and sugar cane. He always spoke fondly of those times and kept his family entertained with stories of his antics as a child.

At the age of 17, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces. He served in the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam, he was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, before being assigned to Tactical Air Command (TAC) Headquarters at Langley Air Force Base in Langley, Virginia. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after proudly serving his country for 28 years.

After his retirement, he worked for the University of Texas for 10 years. He loved his Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys. He was a faithful member of Cedar Valley Baptist Church from its inception in 1988 and served as a deacon there for many years. He was also a dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge No. 484 in Taylor, Texas. He and Kay were foster parents to dozens of children over the years.

Bill is reunited in Heaven with his wife, Kay; parents, Leo and Georgia; sisters, Jean, Anne and Doris; and brothers, Harold and Leon. He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Debra Hightower (Bill), Elizabeth McGuire (Troy) and William Miller (Liz); grandchildren, Ashley Taylor (Terry), Brandon Hightower, Danielle Rudino (Noah), Leah Sheridan-Sheppard (Soen), Rachel Richardson (Dave), Cassidy Rando (Andrew), Carl Anthony Miller (Casi), Ryo Perkins (Cory), Richard Miller (Katie Armstrong) and Melinda Miller (Joe Dentrone); sisters, Virginia Dozier and Carolyn Tidwell; brothers, Lomax (Gaylier) Miller and Neal (Dee) Miller; and 15 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to his friends, who he was so grateful to for their friendships and all they did for him: Bob Schier (and family) and Sam Alvarez. His family is eternally grateful.

Visitation was held Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Elgin Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Cedar Valley Baptist Church, 1905 FM 969 in Elgin, Texas. Bill will be laid to rest with full Military Honors at noon Thursday, Feb. 12, at Shady Grove Cemetery in Bertram, Texas.

Flowers and expressions of sympathy can be sent to Elgin Funeral Home, 712 N. Avenue C in Elgin.