Jamestown, OH – Willard (Bill) Miller, 83, passed away at home on December 5, 2025. Bill lived a full life marked by love, honesty, hard work, passion, and steadfast beliefs.
How to summarize a lifetime? For those who knew him, you will know the rest…
Bill was the beloved husband of Connie (Smith) Miller with whom he shared 61 years of marriage and devotion. Together they raised three daughters: Melony Bradford, Xenia, Ohio; Marnie DeLuna (Hector), San Antonio, Texas; and Monica Miller, Pekin, Indiana. They were raised in a home grounded in strength, love and conviction.
Bill was born June 29, 1942 to Carl L. and Gladys H. (Fiste) Miller – both deceased. Also preceding him in death are four sisters: Donna (Glen) Anderson, Janet (Kenneth) Babb, Carolyn (Roy) Liming, and Patricia Conley. Surviving is one sister, Phyllis (Donald) Wilson, nine grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
A strong work ethic was instilled in Bill at the young age of six through hard work on the family farm in Osborn, Ohio which became Fairborn in 1950. This defined Bill’s entire life. For a few years he worked at Delco Moraine and then pursued a passion for horses by going to Farrier school and began his career shoeing horses. He was well known for his ability to assess and provide corrective shoeing for racehorses. Most days Bill could be found in his Blacksmith shop on the Greene County Fairgrounds shoeing and swapping stories with the horsemen. Reluctantly at the age of 76, Bill retired due to health issues.
Bill’s love for horses did not stop with his career. He raised and competed quarter horses before he began training and racing standardbred horses. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting game and mushrooms, fishing, gardening and flea markets.
As per Bill’s request, there will be no services.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to the New Jasper Twp. Fire Department for prompt response and professionalism. Donations, in Bill’s memory, can be made to them at 3121 Jasper Rd, Xenia OH 45385.