William Miller Jr.

William A. Miller Jr.

Jackson

William Anderson Miller, Jr. 88 years of age, born December 10, 1922 passed away June 21, 2011. The memorial service will be held in the chapel of First Baptist Church in Jackson Monday, June 27 at 11:00am with visitation proceeding from 9:30 am to 11:00am. A private inurnment will be in the family cemetery in Lexington, MS.

He was the only child of Sophia Shorter Miller and William Anderson Miller, Sr.

Bill was graduated from Little Rock Central High School specializing in Pre-aeronautical engineering and studied further at Arkansas State Teachers college in Conway, Arkansas. He started flying April 1939 during his second year in high school, extended his flight training while in college and obtained a commercial pilot's license and a F.A.A. flight instructors rating at the age of 19. He instructed government students for Central Flying Service in Little Rock. Bill received a direct commission in the Air Corps, now the Air Force, and after two months of intensive training Captain Miller was sent overseas to Central Africa to transport military personnel and supplies around Africa, Arabia and India from 1942 thru 1944. While in Africa he went on many elephant and lion safaris with the natives.

On returning to the States Bill was assigned to the Military Air Transport Base in Great Falls, Montana (the Rod and Gun Club of the Air Force) to transport ferry pilots and supplies to other military bases. Based at a Ferry Command Headquarters Field Captain Miller had the opportunity to check out and actively fly a number of different types of aircraft including Boeing B-17s, B-25s, A-20s,C-60s, DC-4s, DC-3s,PBY Seaplanes, A-10s, C-18s, BT-13s, and AT-6s. He served his country until 1945 and then flew for Chicago & Southern Airlines in Memphis, TN flying DC-3s. In 1948 he accepted a position in corporation aviation flying for Lion Oil Company in El Dorado, Ark. Captain Miller met and married Joye Thomas in 1949, and two children Sandra Jean and Steven Benson completed their family. In 1952 he developed the aviation department for MS Power and Light, a division of Middle South Utilities, now Entergy. The fleet was expanded from zero to four, including two twin-engine passenger planes, a 10 passenger Turbo-prop King Air, and a Bell Jet Ranger passenger helicopter. After retiring in 1985 he and his wife traveled to Europe, Mexico and China.

Bill and Joye lived in Jackson for 37 years then decided to spend some quality time away. They moved to Vail, CO for six years fulfilling his lifelong dream to golf, fish and hunt the Rocky Mountains. The highlight of living in Vail was being awarded by President and Mrs. Ford the First Place prize for the best designed and beautiful yard in the Vail Valley. They then moved to Destin, FL for a short time and then to Bella Vista, Ark to be near his son Steve and his family. However, Bill and Joye missed their family and long-time friends and moved back to Jackson in 2006.

Bill loved flowers and was a member of the Jackson Men's Garden Club, the Rose Society and planned the rose garden on the Old Men's Home, and a board member of the Jackson Camellia Society. He and Joye will be remembered for artistic designs and construction of decorations for the Mississippi Symphony League.

Mr. Miller is preceded in death by his parents William Anderson Miller, Sr. and his wife Sophia Shorter. Surviving family members are his loving wife Joye of 61 years, daughter Sandra Miller Black and husband John Louis Black, Jr. of Madison, Ms., son Steven Benson Miller and wife Cheryl Morgan Miller of Springdale, Ark., grandchildren Elisabeth Black Culbertson and husband Keith of Madison, Stefanie Black Kyser and husband Robert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, John Louis Black,III and wife Amelie of Madison, and Meredith Miller Phillips and husband Adam of Dallas, TX. and nine great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL or your favorite charity.