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William Michael ‘Jerry’ Miller Sr.

MILLER

William Michael “Jerry” Miller Sr., 79, a resident of Jimtown, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 23, 2020. For the past two years, Jerry had resided with his daughter Kimberley and son-in-law Doug at their home, next to his homestead in Jimtown. Although he was in declining health, death was unexpected. He was under the care of Mountain Hospice.

Jerry was born Monday, May 6, 1940, in Jimtown, a son of the Earl Miller and Leota Taylor Miller.

He was affectionately known as “Pappy” to his grandchildren.

Jerry was a 1957 graduate of Coalton High School and as a teenager did odd jobs and worked for his uncle at a saw mill. On July 23, 1960, he married the former Maxine “Mammy” Griffith, who preceded him in death on July 29, 2016. Their mothers were the only guests in attendance.

In the early years of their marriage, Jerry and Mammy resided in Ohio. During that time, Jerry worked at a Ford plant even though he was a Chevy man. After moving back to West Virginia, Jerry was employed as a construction grade foreman for SJ Groves/Black Rock. In 1977, he began working at the Island Creek Coal Mine as a heavy equipment operator. He worked there until he and Mammy opened Home Comfort Care, a personal care home, in 1986. You could find him cutting timber when he was not needed at the care home. He was employed as a foreman for Battleridge from 1991 to 1999 and worked for the United Steel Workers from 1999 to 2003. He then worked as a heavy equipment operator for JF Allen from 2003 until his retirement in 2012 at the age of 72.

As you can tell, Jerry was an extremely hard worker. He loved tractors, tools, and working in his barn. If something was broken, he found a way to fix it. His children and grandchildren often teased him about his infamous use of duct tape. He loved hunting (but not fishing), history, western movies, and NASCAR. His heart was broken at the loss of his favorite NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt Sr. Jerry read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation at least 10 times and also read every encyclopedia from front to back. Interestingly enough, he also taught over 50 people how to drive. In his later years, he developed on unforeseen fondness for French vanilla cappuccino. Jerry was Methodist by faith and had just recently rededicated his life to the Lord.

Left to cherish his memory are five children, Terry L Yeager and husband David of Jimtown, William “Bill” Michael Miller and wife Becky of Mabie, Kimberly Skinner and husband Doug of Jimtown, Shawn Miller and wife Melissa of Elkins, DeWayne Kirkpatrick and wife Amy of Buckhannon, Logan Miller of Jimtown, Alexyonna Miller of Jimtown, foster son, Larry Hose of Jimtown, 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild on the way, siblings, Howard Miller of Coalton, JoAnn Bright of Elkins and Butch Harlan.

Preceding Jerry in death besides his parents and wife was a special grandson, William Glen Yeager, and brother, Earl “Junior” Miller.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mountain Hospice, April Bailey, Kimberley Skinner, and Logan Miller for taking such good care of Pappy over the past couple of years. Your thoughtfulness is a gift we will always treasure.

A graveside service will be conducted Thursday, March 26, at 11 a.m. in Phillips Chapel Cemetery in Jimtown. The Rev. Bryan Headley will officiate and interment will follow.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation in honor of Jerry’s beloved wife, Maxine. https://parkinsonhope.org/contact. The Randolph Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements for William Michael Miller Sr. Send online condolences to the family at www.therandolphfuneralhome.com.