George W. Miller III

MILLER George W. Miller III, MSgt USAF, Retired, Columbus, OH, passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2010 from cancer. Born July 22, 1942, in Jacksonville, FL. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Louann Hoyt Miller; son, George W. (Donna) Miller IV, Mt. Sterling, OH; daughter, Nicole (Timothy) Montoney, Columbus; and the joys of his life, grandchildren, Pamela Miller of Pinon, AZ and Malcolm Montoney of Columbus. Also surviving are sisters, Barbara (Tony) Kurtz, Lake City, FL, Nancy (Burton) Pierce and Martha (Rob) Trice of Jacksonville, FL, and Bonnie (Tony) Graupp of Hendersonville, NC; in-laws, Dennis (Carol) Hoyt and Joanne Hoyt, Columbus Grove, Richard (Marie) Hoyt and Shirley (Alvin) Duling, Ottawa, OH, John (Virginia) Hoyt, Renick, WV, Geraldine Lauer, Van Buren, OH, Charles (Laura) Hoyt, Ruskin, FL, Janet (Bob) Westerman, IN, and Patricia (Dennis) Pollock, Middle Point, OH; many nieces and nephews; Pamela's mother, Jane Miller of Dublin OH; and exchange students, Gunda Werner-Burggraf of Germany and Alex Guzman of Japan. Predeceased by parents George and Martha Miller, in-laws Charles and Dorothea Hoyt, and several family members including goddaughter Stephanie Pollock. George was active with church and community organizations. He was particularly proud of his service with the HOPE Council in San Vito dei Normanni, Italy. His most notable hobby was collecting Elvis albums. He entered the AF in 1960 as a non-Morse intercept operator in AF Security Services. He met his sweetheart at a dance at Lockbourne AFB OH in 1963 and subjected her to 13 moves that included 9 years in San Vito, Italy (as he always said, "someone had to drink the wine and eat the cheese"), before retiring from Strategic Air Command as a Manpower Management Superintendent in 1981, having served 21 years, 3 months, 14 days, 8 hours and 45 minutes (and enjoying every minute). During his AF career, he received numerous commendations including the AF Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Joint Service Commendation Medal for his work as an intelligence collection manager with the NSA. He began his second career in 1981 when he joined Butler Animal Health Supply, Dublin OH, and retired in 2009 as Manager of Regulatory Affairs. Again, he was rewarded with many managerial awards during his tenure. George was nationally recognized in the veterinary industry as the expert on controlled substance and food and drug regulations and presented more than 300 seminars nationwide. Visitation will be held at EGAN-RYAN NORTHWEST FUNERAL SERVICE, 4661 Kenny Rd., Columbus, OH, on Sunday, November 21 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with Prayer Service at 7:15 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6899 Smoky Row Rd., Worthington, OH on Monday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m. with family friend, Rev. Father William Hritzko celebrating. Burial will follow at the VA National Cemetery in Dayton, OH at 3 p.m. Family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to J.O.I.N. (Joint Inner City Needs), 578 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43215. (614-241-2530).