William Fred "Bill" Miller

Bill Miller January 21, 1937 - October 30, 2016 William Fred “Bill” Miller was welcomed into heaven on Sunday, October 30, 2016. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 3, at Central United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Harris Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be at 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 2, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. “Tiger Bill” was born on January 21, 1937, in Waco, the son of Martha and Allen Miller. Bill graduated in 1955 from Waco High School. He was center on the Waco Tigers district championship football team and cherished all his classmates of the Waco High Class of ’55. While attending the University of Texas, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, named “Outstanding Student” for his work on the Student Council, and a member of the “Silver Spurs,” honorary service fraternity. Before graduating in 1960, Bill was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army and retired as a Captain. In 1961, Bill married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Sue Thompson. Together they forged a life together dedicated to making their home town even better. He spent 53 years in the automobile business, relishing his status as a graduate of the University of Texas. Bill began performing at the “Outstanding” level early in his career. After joining the Waco Jaycees in 1960, he began years of public service. His achievements earned him the admiration of thousands of Jaycees, and in 1966, Bill was elected vice president of the Texas organization, in 1967 named Outstanding Young Man of America, and was elected president of the U.S. Delegation to the Jaycee International Senate in 1974. After Bill’s memorable fundraising years with the Jaycees, he “graduated” to the Waco Founder Lions Club where he was president in 1980-81 and District Governor of Lions International in 1982. He was instrumental in founding many, many Lions Clubs. Bill was also involved in the YMCA and was named Outstanding Volunteer of the year. Locally, Bill served on the board of Directors of the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, YMCA, Texas Exes, Waco Boys Club, Brazos Investment Club, and AMACO Products. He ran the family business, Bill Miller’s Used Cars, with nephew Trey Miller, on East Waco Drive and closed the doors after 100 years in the business. Bill was a lifelong Methodist and a member of the Central United Methodist Church and the Galilean Sunday School class, which his mother taught at St. Johns Methodist. For years, "The Tigers Den", Bill and Martha Sue’s barge on Lake Waco, has been the gathering spot every weekend, winter and summer. Generations of Wacoans have grown up on it. Fond memories are exchanged as all ages return. Rest in peace, Bill. There will never be another one like you. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Martha Sue; his brother, Allen and wife, Wanda; sister, Carol Law and husband, Chuck; their “daughter,” Shawntel Boiles Kerr; special nephews, Trey Miller, John Duckworth and Winston Stewart; nieces, Deborah Peevey and Pamela Barnwell and families; several cousins; and numerous friends. The Honorary Pallbearers will be the Waco High Class of ’55, Rondy Gray, Jim Hawkins, Paul McClinton, Lanny Peavy, Clifton Robinson, and Wesley Schreiber. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church or Waco Lions Park. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.