DODGE CITY - William  "Bill" J. Miller, 95, died, Friday, June 15, 2018 at the Kansas Soldier's Home, Fort Dodge. He was born September 3, 1922, to Floid and Alta Miller. He was the oldest of four children.  He grew up on the family farm in Stafford County, Kansas. He attended high school in St. John, Kansas, graduating in 1940. He attended Salt City Business College in Hutchinson in 1941. Bill received a Civil Service appointment to Washington, D.C.

Bill was drafted in February 1943 and trained with the 149th Engineer Battalion for the invasion of France. He was transferred to the 6th Engineers Special Brigade and landed on Omaha Beach in France on D-day A+1. The mission was to clear the beaches of German mines and fortifications, build roads and lend support for the infantry landing. He was later stationed in Verdun, France. After Germany surrendered on VE Day, May 8, 1945, the battalion trained for the invasion of Japan. Bill ended his military services with the rank of Master Sergeant, honorably discharged on October 12, 1945.

Bill returned to Kansas and taking advantage of the GI Bill, attended Kansas University from 1946-1949, graduating in August of 1949.

Bill moved to Dodge City and went to work for Hancock Real Estate on February 1, 1950. He remained with the company until 1981, working his way up from sales to President of the firm. While there he was involved in developing several housing additions to the city, including Beverly Manor, Western Hills, Indian Hills, Beeson West, and part of the Orebaugh Addition, with partners Frank Chamberlin and J.L. Hart.

On June 18, 1955 he was married to Lyla J Hilton, and adopted her son Kenneth. Their son Michael was born in 1956. Lyla passed away on November 22, 1979 of Multiple Sclerosis.  On September 26, 1981 Bill was married to Dora Lee Starks. They later divorced.  Bill was married to Karla (Bastian) Fields on December 21, 1991. She worked with him in the appraisal business until her death on February 3, 2009.

In 1981 Bill formed Miller Appraisal Service with his sons. Bill still worked full time at the age of 95.

He was a member of St. Cornelius Episcopal Church, Dodge City Lions Club, and was a long time supporter of the Boot Hill Museum as member of the Association. Santa Fe Trail Association and The Great Western Trail Association. Bill was an active member of the Dodge City Community and worked on promoting our heritage and history as well as fostering the growth of the city by service with the Junior Jaycees in the beginnings of the Boot Hill Museum as we know it today as well as two terms as Mayor of Dodge City from 1977-1979.

He enjoyed going to the Depot Theater productions, family get together with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends, and attending the Boot Hill Museum events. He was one of the masked men who stole the Ft. Dodge Jail and moved it to Boot Hill where it is currently located.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Sisters Evelyn Fisbie and Doris Johnston; and wives Karla and Lyla and grandson Anthony Lopez.

Survivors include: his 2 sons, Kenneth Miller and wife Debbie, of Grants Pass, Oregon, and Michael Miller of Dodge City;  his sister: Fern Tompkins and husband Kenneth of Great Bend, Kansas; grandchildren, Tori Lachappelle; Amber and Josh Bemiss, Andrea and Chris Dressler of Dodge City.  Karla's Son John Dobkins of Wright and his children Cathy Lynn and Damon, and Daughter Michelle Dobkins of Dodge City and her children; Bethany, Nathan and Kimberly; as well as 15 Great-Grandchildren.

Bill was active in Business community service on the Boot Hill Management committee for 30 years from 1954 when it was operated by Boot Hill Jaycees.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 25, 2018 at St. Cornelius Episcopal Church, Dodge City, with Rev. John Seatvet presiding.  Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City with military honors by Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714 and Military Honors for the Sate of Kansas.  Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.