William Miller

William R. "Bill" Miller, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at his home.

He was born Jan. 3, 1929, in Chicago, the son of Roland S. Miller and Dorothy Stewart Miller. He and Velma Honey were married Oct. 24, 1950. She passed away in April of 1992. In 1994, he married Jean Doyle Miller. She survives.

His working career began with the National Biscuit Co. and was followed by employment with Charmin Paper Products. In 1960, he joined the Wetterau Co. and served in various positions in three divisions. He retired from Wetterau in 1986 as a corporate first vice-president and served the company for four more years as a consultant.

Mr. Miller spent his years through high school in the Chicago area. He served two years in the U.S. Navy, some of the time on occupation duty in Japan. He attended Wilson Junior College in Chicago and Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis.

His community activities included service as an Elder of the Session at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau; trustee for Faith Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood, Mo.; member of the board of directors and president of both the St. Louis Hearing and Speech Centers and the Dismas House of St. Louis; a member of the board of directors of the Gibson Center; a member of the Regency Management of VIP Industries; executive director of Marian Charities in Cape Girardeau; and a treasurer and member of the board of directors of the Cape Girardeau Area United Way.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include three daughters and three sons-in-law, Mary and Matt Bowerman of Rhome, Texas, Dawn and LeRoy Pourney of Jackson and Colleen and Eddie Keys of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Karla K. and Mike Couch of Sikeston, Mo., and Paula and Jack Elfrink of St. Louis; five step-grandchildren; and three great-step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Patricia Miller.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Paul Kabo, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, officiating.

Burial will follow at Anna City Cemetery in Anna, Ill.

Memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Hospice or VIP Industries.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.