William Edward Miller "Bill"
September 7, 1927 ~ November 30, 2021 (age 94)
Obituary
William Edward Miller, "Bill" age 94, passed away on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Doreen of 66 years,
Bill was born September 7, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas to William Edward and Emma Nisly Miller. After his mother's death in 1930 the family moved to Kalona, Iowa where Bill grew up. He was drafted and served in Civilian Public Service (CPS) 1946-1947 in Dennison, Iowa and Gulfport, Mississippi. He attended Hesston College for two years then was drafted again due to the Korean War and served one year at Hesston College in the IW program. On December 26, 1954, he married Doreen Yoder. They started their life together in Wichita, Kansas. Both taught in the Public Schools and helped at the Eureka Gardens Church. Bill earned his bachelor's degree from Friend's University. In 1959 the family moved to Eaglesham, Alberta, Canada where Bill taught in the Public Consolidated School and assisted a small mission church.
In 1962 the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where Bill was employed with Albuquerque Public Schools for 28 years. He received his master's degree from UNM in 1967. As a summer job in 1972 Bill started building houses. For a number of years, it was part time but when he retired from teaching in 1990 it became full time. He was a member of the Living Word Christian Outreach and faithfully participated in church activities and volunteer work.
Bill has been an active member of Gideons International since 1965. He loved music and sang in the Young at Heart Gospel Choir for more than twenty years. Gardening was his favorite hobby. He also enjoyed wood working and bird watching.
Family members who survive are one daughter, Valeta, her husband, Rusty King and their children, Nickolaus, Zackary and Tara of Albuquerque; three sons: Loren, his wife Sharon of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and their children, Katie and her husband Jacob Lehman, and their son David, of Kalona Iowa, Kevin and his wife Dominique, of Rio Rancho; Bryan, his wife Karen and their children, Sydney, Mackenzie and Zander of Rancho Mission Viejo, California; Merlin, his wife Tracy and their children, Madison, Ryan, Allison and Jonathan of Mesa, Arizona. Daughters, Maureen Beth and Darla Louise preceded Bill in death.
Bill's siblings who survive are brothers, Paul and Eli of Sarasota, Florida, Fred, his wife Rhoda of Cabins, West Virginia, Amos, his wife Mary of Green Valley, Arizona, David of Park City, Kansas; sisters: Ellen and her husband David Morehouse of Tulsa, Oklahoma, sister-in law Clara Miller of South Hutchinson, Kansas, Katie and her husband Martin Miller of Uniontown Ohio, Ida and her husband Wesley Trout of Nashwauk, Minnesota, Fern and her husband Lyle Swartz of Tawas, Michigan, Rosemary and her husband David Bontrager of Middlebury, Indiana. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
Siblings who preceded him in death are brothers, Ira and Daniel and sister, Clara.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Abundant Life Christian School, or Faith Comes by Hearing of Albuquerque, New Mexico or The Gideons International.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 2: 00 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho, 3906 19th Ave SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Edward Miller "Bill", please visit our floral store.
Services
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Thursday
December 30, 2021
2:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho
3906 19th Ave. SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
