Willard Miller

Willard Leo Miller, 87, formerly of Jackson, died at 9:50 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2009, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 18, 1921, at Glen­allen, Mo., son of James Arthur and Nora Alice Gromer Miller. He and Mabel Ellen Moore were married April 4, 1944, in Jonesboro, Ark.

Leo spent most of his adult years as an over-the-road truck driver, meeting and enjoying new people everywhere. He retired in 1986 from United Oil Co. in Cape Girardeau.

After his salvation experience in the 1960s he loved listening to southern gospel music. He and Mabel enjoyed visiting various churches in the area and attending gospel concerts. He was a member of Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church, but after a debilitating stroke kept him homebound, he was unable to attend regular worship services.

Leo served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years; two daughters, Wilma F. Ledure of Scott City and Sandra K. Morton of Cape Girardeau; four sons, Jimmie L. (Angela) Miller of Cape Girardeau, Bobby J. (Linda) Miller of Jackson, Hurcell V. (Stacie) Miller of St. Peters, Mo., Gary L. (Belinda) Miller of Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are five sisters, Pauline Paul, Edith Miller, Mary Flores, Velma Sontag and Linda Tilley; a brother, Junior Miller; 15 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Diana Lynn Miller; and two brothers, Hugh McKinley "Sonny" Miller and James Vaughn "Buddy" Miller.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to service time today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. The Rev. Joe McCullough will officiate.

Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 106 Farrar Drive, Suite 104, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordandsonfuneralhome.com.