Joe Earl Miller, 91, passed away May 9, 2013, at Magnolia Court Assisted Care Center in Nacogdoches. He was born December 21, 1921, in Hollis, OK, the second of six children born to James Earl and Della (Bledsoe) Miller.
Mr. Miller grew up in the Texas Panhandle moving to Shamrock, TX, in 1940 where he met Melba Nell Franks. They were married the following year. In 1944 he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and saw action in the European Theater as a ball turret gunner on a B-17, completing his tour of duty as an airman with 35 bombing missions over Germany.
Returning from WWII, Mr. Miller began working for Phillips Petroleum Co. in Borger, TX, later transferring to Phillips Chemical Co. in Pasadena, TX, where he worked until his retirement in 1985at which time he moved to Nacogdoches. He is remembered for his quick wit, loyalty to family, and superb generosity.
Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a brother and a sister. He is survived by his two sons, James Barrett Miller of Nacogdoches and Denzil Ray Miller of Springfield, MO; his grandchildren, Wesley Scott Miller of Nacogdoches, Linda Renee Bottoms of Colorado Springs, CO, Karen Diane Butler of Wells, and Robert Wayne Miller of Lufkin.
Visitation will be held at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, on Friday, May 10, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2013, in the Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to VineyardUSA Church Planting, P.O. Box 2089, Stafford, TX 77497 or Assemblies of God World Missions, Acts in Africa account #4324166 (40), 1445 Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802.
Pallbearers will be Scott Miller, Nate Miller, Lance Butler, Justin Butler, Jim Easter, and John Easter.
Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors in Nacogdoches.
