Roy Howard Miller

Roy Howard Miller was born Saturday, April 5, 1924 in Dry Creek (Del Valle), Travis County, TX, the son of Henry Christian Miller and Mary Rosalia (Hoeke) Miller. Roy was baptized March, 1925, with recognition of being the first infant baptized in the newly built Salem Lutheran Church, Del Valle, by Pastor H.W. Hafermann, who also confirmed Roy in April, 1939. Roy grew up on a farm where the family worked daylight to dawn which was both tough and very rewarding in many ways, especially in faith and perseverance. Roy's education began in the two-room Dry Creek country school. Two teachers taught 9 grades daily. Roy had to study hard and often learn on his own since all grades were being taught at the same time. He graduated the 9th grade from Dry Creek School, 1939; graduated Austin High School in 1941, the only high school in Austin at that time.

These were troubled war times and Roy's two brothers were already in the service so he had some serious decisions to make. After being on the farm all his life, the "sea" was intriguing to him so he joined the Merchant Marines. His basic training was completed at St. Petersburg, FL, and assigned to the Army Transport Service. His first ship was the "Earnest Hines," a hospital ship. He later sailed on the "M.I.T Victory," "Holbrook" and "Huddleston" which were troop carrying ships. All sailed in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Labor Day weekend 1946 Roy's ship docked at Staten Island, NY. He and a fellow shipmate got together at a U.S. serviceman's club that evening. This club depends on volunteers to visit with the servicemen as they are away from their home and families for long periods of time. Grace's friend, a regular volunteer at the club, invited Grace to come to the club with her that evening. It was the first and only time Grace had ever been there so it appears it was meant to be because this is where and when Roy and Grace first met. Their friendship grew into a closer relationship throughout the year as Roy's ship sailed in and out of Staten Island to ports overseas. On Sept. 20, 1947, Roy and Grace were married in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Tottenville, Staten Island, NY. They decided to settle in Austin which was very small in comparison to today. Job offerings were few and far between so after a short time and no luck finding a job they moved to Ft. Worth to look for work. Roy was hired by The Washington Nat'l Ins. Co. on Jan. 5, 1948, as a debit agent. Over the years he was promoted to Superintendent, traveled as Field Supervisor and then promoted to District Mgr. of the Austin District. After 33½ years of service Roy retired July 31, 1981. Within 2 weeks after retiring, Roy was hired as office manager for the Mechanical Contractors Assn. of Austin and he continued working there for another 13 years. Being born on a Saturday, the saying "Saturday's child works hard for a living" really applies to Roy as he learned early in life to be a hard worker and good provider for his family. Roy and Grace were married 67 years.

Roy's church affiliations were Salem Lutheran Church; Our Savior Lutheran, Ft. Worth; St. Martin's Lutheran and St. Johns Lutheran, Austin, where he was very active in his earlier years. Roy loved his family and they were always number one on his list! He enjoyed traveling, camping, coast fishing, deer hunting, sausage making, gardening and any activity where his children and their extended family and friends could participate having good family fun with he and Grace. In their later years Roy and Grace loved cruising and went on many cruises in the Caribbean and brought the family along.

On May 17, 2017, our dear Lord called Roy home, at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Grace (Cain) Miller, departing on Jan. 28, 2016; his parents, Henry and Mary (Hoeke) Miller; brothers, Walter Miller and Lewis Miller; and his sister, Alice (Miller) Anderson.

Roy will be deeply missed by his daughter, Christine (Miller) Dixon; son, Donald Roy Miller and his wife Jane (Rose) Miller; grandson, Shane Dixon of Corpus Christi; granddaughters Sarah Miller and Emily Miller; great grandchildren, Julian Miller and Lucille Dixon; and sisters, Florence (Miller) Maxey and Jennie Lee (Miller) Taylor of Austin.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 23, 2017, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 South Congress Ave, Austin, Texas.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, May 24, at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel, 2620 S Congress Ave, Austin, Texas, 78704.

Burial will be in the Live Oak Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made direct to St. Johns Lutheran Church on Ben White Blvd., Austin, TX or any charity of your choice.