Willard Wayne Miller

Willard Wayne Miller, age 95 ½ went to sleep on March 21, 2015 at the Roseburg VA Medical Center. He was born on July 12, 1919 in Ellendale, North Dakota to John E. and Mary (Weis) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and a son Mack. He spent his younger years growing up on a huge diversified farm near Ellendale, in spite of the drought-stricken 1930's; Willard graduated from high school in 1937. He was inducted into military service, July 15, 1941 and was sent overseas to Northern Ireland in 1943. Eventually Willard served in several European countries with the Sixth U.S. Cavalry. This unit acted as General George S. Patton's forward echelon. Willard earned five battle stars and the Croix de Guerre medal from France, signed by General Charles de Gaulle. His duties were with his unit's headquarters as a personnel Sergeant-Major. After a short tour of duty in Berlin, he returned to the U.S. and was discharged in September of 1945. Returning to his native North Dakota, he attended Sate Normal and Industrial College in his hometown and graduated with a B.S. degree. For a 30 year period he served as a teacher, his first position was in Grand Fork, North Dakota. In 1947 he moved west and worked in the high schools there. In 1951 he received a Masters degree from Oregon State University. He taught at high schools in Gold Beach and Monroe, Oregon. He then moved to Woodland, California where he continued to teach for an additional 21 years. Upon his retirement he worked as a field representative for Christian Record Services for the Blind in Northern California for another 10 years. During this time he lost his wife to death. He eventually married his most beloved wife of 32 years Jean (Burkhardt). They resided for several years in Woodland, California then to Florence, Oregon and finally to Sutherlin, Oregon. Upon final retirement they traveled extensively throughout Canada and the USA. They spent many winters in the Palm Springs area. Throughout the years he has been an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He will be remembered as a reserved and sincere person. He will be missed by his wife Jean and his friends and church family. He has been laid to rest at Roseburg National Cemetery. Military Honors will be offered on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 10 A.M. at Roseburg National Cemetery.

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