Charles W. "Charlie" Miller

Charles W. Miller died peacefully on Monday, June 21, 2010 in his home at Belmont Village Assisted Living in Houston, Texas. He was 86 years old.

Charlie was born in Akron, Ohio on December 1, 1923 to parents Lawrence C. Miller and Mary B. Morrow. Charlie grew up in Akron and graduated from North High School in 1943. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served for three years including a tour of duty with the 134th Evacuation Hospital Unit in France and Germany. Charlie had a strong sense of responsibility. When he was recently interviewed about his World War II experience the writer chose this quote, ``I can't say I enjoyed it, but it was necessary.' He also had a wry wit.

In 1946, Charlie married his high school sweetheart Nancy L. Hiner. They had three daughters and resided in the Akron area until he retired.

Charlie enjoyed a long and successful career selling brick and other building materials for the Koppes Clay Products Company. He had a knack for sales and became a favorite of his customers for the loyal, honest and fair way he conducted business. Charlie was never late for an appointment; he believed tardiness showed disrespect for the value of another person's time.

Charlie was an avid golfer and he built, repaired and collected golf clubs. He once sanded the head of a putter that he purchased at garage sale because it was too shiny. When he blew away the dust, he noticed an engraving that read ``14k Gold Plated.' Charlie retired in 1979 and relocated with his wife to Panorama Village in Conroe, Texas to play golf year-round. He made friends easily and played golf with his buddies nearly every day for the next 20 years. He and Nancy also won the Mr. and Mrs. Panorama Tournament one year.

Over the last ten years, Charlie quietly assumed care-giving responsibility for his wife, Nancy, who has Alzheimer's disease. He learned to prepare food, clean house, wash clothes and otherwise manage the home. Nancy's care and protection became his purpose in life and his devotion to her was simply remarkable.

Mr. Miller is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Nancy L. (Hiner); daughters, Sandra of Carson City, Nevada, Linda of Oakland, California, Barbara of Houston, Texas; and stepgrandchildren, Brett and Brooke Bailey, both of Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and sons-in-law, John S. Bailey II and Alan Teegardin.

The family would like to thank everyone from Belmont Village, Right-at-Home and Houston Hospice for the love, respect, kindness and care they provided in the last months of ``Mr. Charlie's' life.

Memorial donations may be made to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston TX 77030-4123 or online at www.houstonhospice.org.