W. Ray Miller

W. Ray Miller
August 27, 2009

SARASOTA, Fla. -- W. Ray Miller, 91, passed away Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, in Sarasota, Fla. He came to Sarasota 10 years ago and was formerly of Holmes County. He was born Aug. 29, 1917, to the late William Levi and Jemimah (Troyer) Miller.

There will be a visitation, Friday at Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home in Sarasota, Fla., from 6-8 p.m. Memorial services will be Saturday at Bayshore Mennonite Church at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Bethel Mennonite Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to TideWell Hospice Humanitarian Fund, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Fla. 34238.Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothea (Messick) Miller; a son, Gail and wife, Judy Miller of Sarasota, Fla.; daughters, Barbara Miller and partner, Brenda Zook of Sarasota, Fla., and Cheryl Eash of Pendleton, Ind.; grandchildren, Brent Miller, Kimberly Miller Carren, Matthew Eash and Michelle Eash; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Jay Miller of Orrville; and sisters, Ruth Miller of Orrville, and Orvilla Yoder of Berlin.

He was a member of the Lions Club, previous part owner of Curry Lumber in Wooster, original member of East Holmes District School Board, where he served for 21 years.

He loved camping with the Wooster Hobos.

Ray Miller: his story... unfinished

Some of you know my grandfather William Ray Miller, others may not. This is his story as told by him. Its not finished, and it may never be... but its an interesting story, that I wanted to share.

These are his words, unedited that I'm transcribing from his writing on a legal pad he started some years ago:

Father: William L. Miller
Mother: Jemima Troyer

I was born in Portage Co. Ohio in 1917 Aug 29. Lived there with my parents for about 3yrs. Then moved to Holmes Co. Ohio, went to school at a county school "Buena Vista" (one room) for 8 yrs. My Mother died when I was 4 yrs old. Father married the second time to Barbara J. Kandel (Weaver).

Went to Berlin high school 2yrs walked to school about 5 miles. (not legible) Worked for a neighbor's farmfor $.05 per hour. After I quit school, worked for a farmer that could not drive so I did all of the driving for him. When I worked there, I also helped out for a farmer that had a cane press. That is where I had my finger cut off, 16yrs old. When I was eighteen I worked in a shop in Orrville Ohio. I also worked for an Amish farmer who had a dairy farm. Bottled milk and delivered it to Millersburg and Berlin. Bought a new Ford Van in 1940 to deliver the milk.

When I was in my teens I sold (not legible) jacks. Was drafted and went to a C.P.S camp 2-5-42. While there I met Dorothea and married Oct. 27 1943. Lived there till I was discharged on Jan 26-46, then we moved to Ohio. First we lived in an apartment in Millersburg. Then we bought an old house in Benton. Built a 2 story garage in 1948 and lived in the station on the site. We lived up stairs in 4 small rooms...

This is where the story stops on the paper... I know many of you can fill in most of the rest of the story. I can tell you that I'm happy to have been a part of this story. My grandfather has filled a grand role in my life. That is something that I am truly thankful for.

thanks for reading my post today,
-matt-