William E. Miller

William Earl Miller was born March 21, 1924, in a country house in Peculiar Township, Missouri, the third child of Earl Cranston and Stella Braden Miller. W.E. grew up with his elder brother and sister, Harold and Francene, on the family farm, gaining at an early age a love and appreciation for all growing things, both domestic and wild.
Bill would reminisce in his later years of the rigors and challenges of growing up in rural Missouri in the 1920's and '30's, such as the time he was riding his horse when a young boy and overheard a visitor exclaim to his father, ""Earl, I do believe that horse will buck Bill off!"" After which Bill said that until that time, he had never known that his horse bucked; he had always thought the animal was just ""stiff-legged"". Then there were the stories about how the children of that household would have to ride their horses to and from the local rural schoolhouse to gain a proper education. That is, unless the weather was too cold or the snow too deep; then, the kids would have to walk to school -- the horses stayed home in the barn.
Bill completed his formal education, graduating from Harrisonville High School in 1941, whereupon he purchased his first acreage and began farming his own land, until World War II, when both he and his siblings served our country by enlisting in the Armed Forces. Bill joined the Navy in 1944, and was stationed at Port Hueneme, near Oxnard, California, during his time in the Service. He received his honorable discharge from the United States Navy in June of 1946, and resumed his primary occupation, farming.
He met and married Loura Bennett of Lone Tree, Missouri, in 1950. Four children were born to them: William Earl II, Samuel Lee, Alice Ann, and Jacob Merle. During the years of farming and raising his family, Bill was involved in local civic activities, as well. He was elected to and served a term on the Harrisonville School Board. He was also elected President of the Cass County Farm Bureau.
In the 1970's, Bill retired from active farming, renting his land to others and becoming a ""gentleman farmer"". With his extra free time, he began traveling extensively, spending time in Haiti, in the Caribbean Islands, and in Columbia and Brazil in South America. He served for a time in the United States Peace Corp as an agricultural developer, most notably on the Caribbean island of Dominica where, in 1979, he survived Hurricane David, a Category 5 storm, and one of the most deadly hurricanes of the 20th Century. After this, Bill traveled to Brazil, where he married Mirian Lollato on October 6, 1983. Bill and Mirian made their home on the farm near Harrisonville. However, they spent many North American winters at their condominium in the Brazilian beach town of Praia De Lesta. At home on the farm, one of the most enjoyable family traditions for Bill and Mirian was the yearly Fourth of July Picnic, Bar-B-Que and Fireworks Extravaganza. Friends and family were always invited to spend the day under the shade of the oak trees in the yard -- feasting, relaxing and telling stories, while setting forth any thoughtful (though fantastic) theory on any subject. It was on these occasions that succeeding generations of offspring enjoyed the freedom to engage in the dangerous, yet fascinating, world of ""blowing stuff up""! We experienced many pranks and practical jokes during these festivals, not just a few of which had their origin with Bill. Bill loved to work the soil and to watch things grow. He continued with his pursuit of things horticultural, planting and growing and watering and nurturing many varieties of flowers and shrubs at his home on the farm. He thoroughly enjoyed his labors, and delighted in inviting each visitor to tour the grounds, where he could show off all that was flourishing under his care. Bill loved life, and loved his family. Though slowed somewhat by age in his later years, he was always glad to greet visitors at the door, and to visit hospitably with them until they had to leave, many times walking them to their vehicle, where the closing conversations could sometimes continue for a good long while. Bill is survived by his wife Mirian Lollato Miller, of the home. His children and their families all continue: his son William E. II and wife, Maria of San Diego, California. Their daughters Jolene and Stephanie. His son Samuel and wife Sabra of Raymore, Missouri. Their son Philip and wife Debbie; Kahra and husband Michael; Richard and his wife Keera. His daughter Alice of Las Vegas, Nevada. Her children Aaron Gray; and Renee Sauer and husband Tom. His son Jacob and wife Phyllis of Harrisonville. Their sons Daniel and Michael. In addition to Bill's four children and nine grandchildren, there are four great-granddaughters: Kahra and Michael's daughter Julienne, Aaron's daughter Isabella, Rene and Tom's daughter Mikaela, and the newest one, Philip and Debbie's daughter Piper.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrsionville, Missouri. Burial is at the Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, Missouri.
Family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to the Golden Years Care Services, Harrisonville, Missouri.