Wilbur "Willie" Lee Miller

Wilbur “Willie” Lee Miller, 85, Kokomo, passed away at 10:47 pm Friday, January 20, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. He was born September 4, 1937, in Kokomo, the son of the late Abe and Mary (Beachy) Miller. In 1957, he married Martha Slabaugh.  He married Judith Anna (Gritzmacher) on August 28, 1993, and she survives.

In addition to his wife Judy, Willie is survived by his children, Debbie Statton, Rodney (Stacey) Miller, and Scott (Lori) Miller; step-children, Susan (Duncan) Kimbro and Cheryl (Todd) Miller; siblings, Glenn “Fritz” (Jeanie) Miller and Linda (Jason) Bontreger; brother-in-law, Eric (Terri) Gritzmacher; grandchildren, Rachel Statton, Kimberly (Amber) Statton, Sara Statton, Rachel Guevara, Rebecca Valdez, Samantha Wood, Seth Wood, Quinn Miller, Ian Miller, Jessica Miller, Jonathan Miller, Grace Kimbro, and Conor Kimbro; great-grandchildren, Anthony Statton, Azjha Davis, and Athena Davis.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Randy Statton; and brother, Jonas Miller.

Willie was born and raised Amish until he was 11 years old.  Chores, farming, and sports were important parts of his everyday life. Willie was a 1956 graduate of Northwestern High School.  His class was the first to play in the gym as it is now. He played basketball and baseball for Northwestern.  After school, Willie did several things including working at Delco.  He couldn't stand being inside a factory, so he got involved in trucking like his dad and brothers. He retired from Roadway Express in 1996 as a truck driver after 30 years of service.

Sports were a passion for Willie, whether playing himself (fast pitch softball, basketball, or golf) or coaching his kids and hundreds of other kids. Willie was an avid golfer.   He always loved golfing, but after retiring and building a house at Chippendale, it became a passion.  He played 5 days a week, weather permitting, for over 20 years.  The par 3, number 3 hole was his favorite, because that’s where he had his hole-in-one. He also shot his age between 30 and 40 times including twice in one day once!

After a terrible knee injury at 40 and a heart attack at 44, Willie decided to take up running.  He ran 5K’s, 10K’s and the Indianapolis Mini Marathon about 10 times. He even ran the Chicago Marathon 3 times after the age of 51 with his good friend Jim Knight.

Willie loved the Yankees, Rangers, Notre Dame football, Indiana University basketball, and most of all, the Green Bay Packers.

As much as he loved sports, his primary passions were his faith and his family and friends.  Willie was a member of First Church of the Nazarene, where he was an active member and sang in the choir for many years. He openly professed his faith and lived it for all to see.  Among other things, he served Wednesday night community dinners at church for many years, and he enjoyed driving for Samaritan Caregivers. He was a committed family man, who loved to have his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren visit.  The more the merrier.  Trips to visit Amish family members were treasured time for him.  Willie also made many a trip to Elkhart, Indiana and Franklin, Tennessee to visit his step-daughters, their husbands and his grandchildren, loving them like his own.

Willie went out in a blaze of glory, holding court in the hospital his last couple of days for anyone who wanted to visit or share a story.  He couldn't wait to tell them that he was getting ready to go “Home” to see Jesus and family and friends.  His family is thankful that he not only showed us how to live well but he also showed us how to die well.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 pm to 8 pm Friday, January 27 at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo. A memorial service will be held at 10 am Saturday, January 28 at First Church of the Nazarene,  Kokomo.  Burial will take place at North Union Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan Caregivers, the Pregnancy Resource Center, or First Church of the Nazarene Missions in Willie’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.