William Earl Miracle

Services will be at 11 a.m. June 9 at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel.

He is survived by three sons, Leroy and Ron, both of Grand Junction, and Larry of Agra, Oklahoma; two daughters, Patty Baker of Early, Texas, and Betty Morton-Perich of Grand Junction; one sister, Carol Heinrich of Grand Junction; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to the VA Community Living Center, 2121 North Ave., Grand Junction 81501.

William Earl Miracle

January 24, 1927 - May 22, 2015

William Earl Miracle was born and raised in Glade Park, Colorado. He was the third of ten children born to William Dewey and Clara Emma Miracle. Earl attended the Glade Park Community Pipeline School. At the age of 12, Earl began working part-time jobs to help support his family. He worked as a farm laborer, ranch hand and sheepherder in the Glade Park area. He also worked at the ice houses in Grand Junction.

Earl enlisted in the Army in 1945. He completed basic training in Arkansas and heavy weapons training in California. He shipped out in the summer of 1945 fully anticipating to participate in the invasion of Japan. While at sea, word was received that the war had ended and his ship was diverted to the Philippines. He served out his tour as an MP at a camp for Japanese prisoners of war.

After the war he worked in the Oregon saw mills. Returning to Grand Junction in 1950, he worked as a mill mechanic for Climax Uranium. After the mill closed, he worked as an equipment operator for Mesa County Road Department, retiring in 1992.

Earl married Dorothy Lorine Galyean in 1947. Earl, his father and his father-in-law built the family home on Orchard Mesa where he and Dorothy lived for the next 55 years. Earl enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his family. He was an active member of Trinity Baptist (now Orchard Mesa Baptist) and Elm Avenue Baptist Churches where he served as elder and deacon. He also faithfully attended the VA Chapel while he lived at the VAMC Community Living Center.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years; his parents, and eight siblings. He is survived by his five children, Earl Leroy (Glenda); Larry Wayne (Lisa); Patricia Lynn Baker (Gary); Ronald Lee (Karen), and Betty Ann Morton-Perich (Les). He is also survived by his sister, Carol Heinrich; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A service of remembrance will be held Tuesday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, burial with military honors at Memorial Gardens at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Community Living Center, VAMC, Grand Junction, Colorado.