William “Bill” David Miller, 93, passed away peacefully at Heisinger Bluffs West in Jefferson City Jan. 15, 2024, with family at his side.
He was born Jan. 31, 1930, to Grover and Mabel (Sweetin) Miller in St. Louis. His family moved to Steelville, while he was young. He graduated from Steelville High School in 1948, where he was active in multiple sports and served as senior class vice president.
Upon graduation, Bill joined the U.S. Air Force. He was united in marriage to Leah Geraldine “Gerry” Sullinger of Belle, Jan. 2, 1955; a marriage that lasted almost 66 years, until Gerry’s death Dec. 26, 2020. Bill and Gerry raised two children, Lisa (Brad) Scroggs, Jefferson City, and David Miller, Bland, both of whom survive.
While a navigator in the Air Force, Bill served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and as an instructor when he returned stateside. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and many other honors, his career spanned 26 years, and he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1974. Upon retiring, he and his family moved to Belle and built a home near Cooper Hill, where Bill and Gerry lived until moving to Heisinger Bluffs Riverview in Jefferson City in 2019. During his civilian years, he worked as a project planner for Wisch and Vaughn Construction (WAVCO) in Jefferson City; was civically active in Belle and Osage County, serving on the Maries County R-II school board; and as an election polling volunteer in Cooper Hill. He also shared his love of baseball and his expertise in the sport by coaching several youth league baseball teams over a 30-year span.
Bill was preceded in death by wife, Gerry; parents, Grover and Mabel; brother, Don Miller of Brinson, Ga.; sisters, Jane Cook of St. Louis, Leona Blanchard of Nixa, Betty Hanson of St. Louis, and JoAnn Howard of Benbrook, Texas.
He is survived by children, Lisa and David; grandsons Skyler (Ashley Douglas) Miller of Mass., Cole (Corrie) Scroggs, Kyle (Samantha Blanco) Scroggs all of Jefferson City, and Logan (Rebekah) Miller of Fayetteville, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Allis, Ella, and Owen Miller of Linn and Briar Scroggs of Jefferson City; and several nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 22, at Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle with Chaplain Jim Mueller officiating. Interment with full military honors was at College Hill Cemetery near Belle.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sassmann’s Chapel, Belle
