William Dallas Miller

1936 - 2021

William Dallas (Bill) Miller

William Dallas (Bill) Miller, 84, passed away on January 10th, 2021. He was born on April 13th, 1936 in Daggett, California to Dallas and Dorothy (Cotten) Miller. He grew up in Meeker, Colorado and graduated from Rio Blanco County High School in 1954.

After high school, Bill attended Mesa Jr. College in Grand Junction where he wrestled at the collegiate level. In 1959, he completed his student teaching in Meeker and later that year, he wed Carole Klinglesmith on May 10th. In 1960, Bill attended Colorado State College in Greeley where he graduated with a degree in teaching. Bill taught English and coached high school football and wrestling in Limon, Colorado until 1967 when he, Carole, and their three daughters moved to Yuma, Arizona. That school year, Bill taught and coached at Kofa High School. The next year, the family moved to Indio, California where he again taught English and coached football and wrestling, later serving as Athletic Director at Indio High School. He finished his career teaching Independent Studies at La Quinta High School.

In 1996, Bill retired from teaching; however, he spent many evenings refereeing football games and wrestling matches and many days starting track meets at high schools in southern California. Coach Miller looked forward to enjoying Friday morning breakfasts with his fellow teachers and coaches. He enjoyed dove hunting in both Arizona and Mexico and fishing in Montana with his Springer Spaniel dogs. He was a master woodworker designing ways to make life easier around the home. Bill was commonly found in front of the TV rooting for the Denver Broncos and USC. He and his wife spent multiple hours traveling back and forth to their homes in Meeker, CO and Indio, CA and made it interesting by driving different routes exploring the western states. Bill, also called Granddad, was known for his impeccable sense of humor and ways of teasing.

Bill is survived by his wife, Carole, of 61 years, his brother Jon Miller, his daughters Fawn Moore and Dana (Les) Flareau, five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his eldest daughter Dawn DeSantos, and his granddaughter Bethany Garcia.

Due to the current circumstances, a memorial service in Indio is planned for the spring.