Bill Miller

(From Parker Mortuary)

William Edward “Bill” Miller, 93, of Joplin, MO, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, 10 March 2022.

Bill was born on 22 May 1928 to William Edward and Edith May Harris Miller in Baltimore, MD. He was the oldest of 3 boys.

After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic High School in 1947, Bill went to work as a draftsman for the Baltimore Aircoil Co. He worked at an airport on weekends to pay for pilot lessons. He graduated with a Teaching Degree in 1953 at Towson State College.

Upon graduation, Bill participated in Alternative Service through the Voluntary Service Program of the Church of the Brethren in Windsor, MD. His first assignment was at the Community Service Center in Castañer, Puerto Rico. His next assignment was as a volunteer subject in nutritional studies at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD.

Following his service, Bill attended Eden Seminary in Webster Groves, MO, studying Theology. As a seminary student, he volunteered with the Caroline Mission Neighborhood Houses Program as well as a camp counselor at Camp Potawotami. He volunteered at Church World Service and participated in activities with the Youth Federation of Churches where he met his wife of 63 years, Joan Helen Schaefer.

Bill and Joan were married on 11 October 1958 at Friedens UCC in St Louis. They resided in Florissant, MO, where they raised their three daughters, Julia, Marcia, and Andria Miller.

Bill was a Teacher in the Ferguson-Florissant School District for over 30 years. He taught Math at Ferguson-Florissant Junior High School and Physics-Earth Science at McCluer High School. Bill furthered his education at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH, Kansas University in Lawrence, KS, and earning his master's degree at Wisconsin University in Superior, WI. In addition to teaching, Bill coached Track and Cross Country.

Bill was a runner, participating in Track & Cross Country in high school and college. He participated in 5/10K events and later in the Senior Olympics in St Louis.

Bill loved to travel with his family and took them to wonderful places across the US.

Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, coach and teacher. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edith & William Miller, and his brothers, Charles Otto “Bud” Miller and Clifford Harris Miller.

Bill is survived by his wife, Joan Helen Miller of Joplin, MO; his daughters & their spouses, Julia & Clayton Carter of Bedford, TX, Marcia & John Chesney of Joplin, MO, and Andria & David Sinclair of Greenville, SC; his grandchildren, Beau Carter, Amanda Carter (DJ) Wisbauer, Alex (Whitley) Chesney, Andrew Chesney, and Kelsey Sinclair (Clayton) Baumgarth; his great-grandchildren, Al & Ares Wisbauer; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.