Roy Burnace Miller JR

ROY BERNACE MILLER, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 26, 2015, in the care of the VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Roy was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1926, in Holden, Mo. He graduated from Holden High School in 1944, and served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946, when he was honorably discharged. He was a 65-year (Lifetime) member of Plumbers Local Union No. 8, in Kansas City, Mo. Maxine Elliott Salmons was married to Roy in Holden, Mo., October 2, 1948, and had five children: Linda Day (Charles), currently of Independence, Mo.; Shirlee Ann Miller of Lake Tapawingo, Mo.; Marcia Gayle Miller (deceased), Carol Jean Williams (Mike) of Independence, Mo., and Bernie Miller (Angie) of Independence, Mo. In addition to his daughters and son, Roy leaves behind three of four siblings, Donald Miller of Pittsville, Mo.; Betty Lou Mastin of Raytown, Mo.; and Bernice Oder of Tuscon, Ariz. Roy is preceded in death by his father Roy B. Miller, Sr., mother Eunice Miller, sister Margaret L. Hoffman and daughter Marcia. He is also survived by eight grandchildren Erin Luttrell (Korey), of Raytown, Mo.; Brian Day (Jaime) of Greenwood, Mo.; Ivan Williams (Shanan) of Wheatland, Mo.; Todd Day (Blair) of Raymore, Mo.; Clayton Williams of Independence, Mo.; Amanda Mackey (Alex) of Independence, Mo.; Kevin Roth of Independence, Mo.; and Barrett Fera (Rick) of Independence, Mo.; and 10 great-grandchildren Isabella, Ashlyn and Reese Williams; Aidan and Nova Williams; Elise, Trent and Emma Mackey; and Jeremiah and Beau Day. He will also be missed by a score of nieces and nephews. Roy will be remembered not only for his large family and long career in the plumbing trade, but as a boating enthusiast and fisherman who enjoyed spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks, where he showed off by water skiing into his 70s. This is where he spent much of his free time with extended family, friends and neighbors. He spent countless hours leveling the lake road in his rusty old pick-up truck to make it safe for guests, checking his trot lines, snagging for spoonbill, camping lakeside and lounging atop the boathouse. Roy was a builder, a tinkerer, and made just about anything he could with black pipe, recycled bathtubs into aerated bait tubs, and was known for turning toilet seats into amusing directional signage. Roy celebrated our great country by vacationing in dozens of state parks and travelling to U.S. monuments with his wife and children in their RVs, and taking domestic and international cruises to experience relaxation and culture. Each year on Independence Day, his birthday was celebrated with some sort of exploding cake. Over the years, he and his family had many interesting pets, a vast collection of sea shells from their travels, and a large vegetable garden. A graveside ceremony will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 7, at Blackwater Cemetery, in Holden, Mo., located at the intersection of NW 425th Rd and 1121st Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blackwater Church Cemetery.

Roy Burnace Miller JR

July 4, 1926 - February 26, 2015