Obituary: Wilbur Lee Miller

Wilbur Lee Miller, age 70, of Tonto Basin, Arizona, passed away peacefully in his sleep in April 2020. He was born in 1950 in Middlebury, Indiana, the son of Chris D. and Lizzie Ann Miller.

Wil made his living in the construction trades, building manufactured homes, painting, and managing hotel maintenance for unique hotels (on the islands of Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii, as well as South Korea, historic properties in the Grand Canyon National Park, and tourist lodges/saloons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming). He resided in Indiana, California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Wyoming.

Wil was known for his sense of humor (he loved a good joke, and told them often), his free-spirited nature (half hippy, half cowboy), his love of the great outdoors (and the open road), his moves on the dancefloor (to country/western music), and his world-class stubbornness (he lived life on his own terms). Wil enjoyed horseback riding, golf, softball (his nickname was “Wheels”), walking and hiking in nature, fishing, shooting/hunting, pitching horseshoes, camping, and taking long motorcycle trips to visit friends and family. He was always the most fun person at any party. His unique fashion choices varied from Hawaiian shirts to western wear, accented by derbies and cowboy hats, and always his signature handlebar mustache.

Wil was preceded in death by his parents, siblings (Martha Hostetler and Vernon Miller), and son (Eric Wagner). He is survived by a son, Dustin Miller (Marissa); a daughter, Aaron Hruby (Ed); grandsons (Justice and Noah; Zach and Isaac); granddaughter Anastasia; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his siblings Mary Bontreger, Susie Yoder (Jay), Harley Miller (Marlene), Emma Kauffman (Dana), Betty Kauffman, Chris Miller (Gloria), and over two dozen loving nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Middlebury, Indiana at a date to be determined later.