Billy Lynn Miller

Billy Lynn Miller entered eternal life on July 1, 2023 at the age of 71. Bill was born on April 5 1952 in Ulysses Kansas. He was the son of Curtis (Corky) L Miller and Hilda Logan Miller.

Bill married Connie Pope on January 23, 1971. Together they raised two children: Jeffrey (Kathy) and Jeanne (Andy Swires). He is survived by his children, his grandchildren Lindsay Duckworth-Miller, Tjaeden (Taylor) Swires, Brandtley Swires, and Taysen Swires, his great-grandchildren Ryker, Milly, Krockett and Hagen, his father Corky, his sister, Sheri (Sam Harris),  brothers and sisters by marriage, Carol Pope, Sharon (Merritt Musick Jr), Rex Pope (Norma), Dean Pope (Cathy), numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda, grandparents Culver and Leona Miller, and Leland and Verna Logan.

As a child Bill's family moved numerous times thus he attended several different elementary schools in Oklahoma and Kansas. He graduated from Ottawa High and attended Emporia State. Bill's adult employment began at Taylor Forge in Paola where he was a welder and fabricator. In 1979 he began working for Cities Service which later became Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline where he held several different positions, but his main position was a pipeline welder. He retired from SSCGP after over 32 years.

Bill, Connie, and children moved to several locations with the company and made many friends along the way. He lived in Texas when the children were young adults and he moved back to Kansas in 1994 leaving the children to find their future mates. Bill served faithfully in the Lutheran churches he attended serving as Sunday School Superintendent, elder, and trustee. He was a current member of Faith Lutheran, Ottawa. His most memorable role was his part in the start-up of Trinity Family of Faith in Basehor.  He created a strong family bond with the church attendees as they set up and took down the worship setting each Sunday.

Bill spent many hours remodeling his house in rural Leavenworth and also in rural Richmond. Among his other creations was a personalized bed for Lindsay.

He built several smokers as well as one for SSCGP which he was honored to personally deliver to Owensboro KY and serve the company management and office workers Kansas smoked food. He smoked meat for church fundraisers and several family weddings. 

His personality attributes: No matter which town we lived in, he was always willing and available to help others. Whenever he had the opportunity, he would find a subtle way to mention Christ as his Savior. He loved to say something “funny” to checkout clerks or drive-thru workers just to “make their day”. He did use a lot of humorous sarcasm, and he could usually do it without making it hurtful. Bill dearly loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments. He was only able to attend a few of the grandchilden activities due to the mileage distance.  This year was special because the basketball games were recorded online and he was able to watch the games real time. The grandsons like to call him their mentor, but of course everything he tried to teach them may not have been parental approved. His many “words of humorous wisdom” will continue with all of the grandchildren.

Bill will be dearly missed by his loving family and awesome friends.

A celebration of life service will be at Faith Lutheran Church, 1320 W 15th, Ottawa, KS at 5 pm on Monday July 10.  Immediately following the service will be the visitation including a barbeque meal for all friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, Trinity Family of Faith, or a charity of your choice and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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