Baker County, Oregon
Henry William “Big Bill” Miller, 80, of Walla Walla, Wash., and a former Baker City resident, died June 14, 2001, at Walla Walla General Hospital.
There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Colonial-DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Specialists at Walla Walla.
Mr. Miller was born Feb. 4, 1921, at Baker City to Henry J. and Mattie L. Miller. He attended Oregon State University until World War II, at which time he served in the Marines, then the Sea Bees for the duration.
After that he was in the asphalt paving business with his father for many years in and around Eastern Oregon.
He married Joan Bratt in 1947, and was later divorced. He was a member of the Baker Elks Lodge.
He later settled in Pendleton, where he married E. Monte James. They owned and operated Big Bill’s Rivoli Cigar Store and The Sunset Cafe & Lounge from 1965 to 1987. Upon retiring he moved to Walla Walla, where he enjoyed fishing, sports, his time spent with his two cats, Smitty and Lefty, and his dog, Shorty. He was an avid Blazer and Mariners fan.
Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, E. Monte James; a stepdaughter, Laura James; stepsons, LaMarr and Mike James; daughters, Marty Rose of Kennewick, Wash., and Mary Kincaid of Baker City; a son, Robin, of Baker City; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Franklin Lew of Klamath Falls; and five grandchildren.
Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society or the charity of one’s choice through the Colonial-DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Specialist.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 22, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
