Wilfred “Willie” Miller
Visitation: Sunday, December 22, 2019 from 2-5 PM at the Schipper Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: Monday, December 23, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Colon United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Lakeside Cemetery.
Wilfred “Willie” A. Miller age 91 of Colon passed away Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Birch Meadows AFC in Three Rivers.
Willie was born in Bronson, Michigan on March 28, 1928, a son to the late Ray and Ruth (Annis) Miller.
He grew up in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1946.
Willie married Norma Jean Culp on October 4, 1946 and they lived their lives in the Colon and Sherwood areas until Norma’s death in 2002. Willie then married Priscilla Waltke in 2006 and they too lived in Colon.
Willie enjoyed farming and also owned and operated Lakeshore Elevator in Colon. Upon retiring he sold Golden Harvest Seed. Willie was a former president of the Branch
County Farm Bureau and was a long-time member of the Michigan Dairy Association.
Willie is survived by two children; Karen (Wayne) Miller of Union City, and Gary (Cathy) Miller of Colon, two step children; Larry (Gloria) Waltke and Dennis (Ann) Waltke, four grandchildren; Steve, Matt, Andrew, and Jessica Miller, four step grandchildren Dustin, Marcus, and Schyler Waltke and Khari Clements, five great grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren, and one sister Lois Hostetler.
Besides his parents Willie was preceded in death by both wives, a daughter Charlene, a brother Deo Miller, and three sisters; Opal Bell, Beth Shumaker, and Lamoine Rank.
The family will receive friends and family from 2-5 at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD in Colon on Sunday, December 22, 2019. A funeral service celebrating the life of Willie will be held on Monday, December 23, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Colon United Methodist Church with Pastor Samuel Gordy and Chaplin Blessed Madugba officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the Colon Athletic Boosters or Birch Meadows AFC. Folders will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences to the family may be left at Schipperfuneralhome.com.
December 21, 2019 @ 2:38 am
Sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
December 21, 2019 @ 5:23 pm
I’m sorry to hear about Willie‘s passing. Have a good memories of the days when the cousins all got together. My sincere condolences to all the family. Sorry I cannot be there. Esther Shaw
December 22, 2019 @ 10:04 pm
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of you
December 22, 2019 @ 11:00 pm
Sorry for your loss what an great man to be around always enjoyed seeing and talking to him . Lots of memories of the Lamb Knit softball team he was the best Catcher and Lefthanded hitter I every saw.
Butch and Blondie
December 23, 2019 @ 1:27 am
Great man and wonderful neighbor when we all lived on Wattles Road. So sorry to hear of your loss and condolences to the entire family.
December 23, 2019 @ 3:25 am
I have many great memories of Willie and a few little inside jokes one being a stubborn snowblower to start, Willie would come down to the service station to get it started in the early winter. It was always a fun time and I still crack up when I think about it.
What a great guy.
December 23, 2019 @ 7:09 pm
Condolances to
December 23, 2019 @ 11:10 pm
I remember way back when Gary and I played baseball together for Colon. Willie and I would have some great talks. So sorry to hear about loosing him!!
December 24, 2019 @ 2:00 am
Karen and Gary,
So sorry for the loss of your father.
November 11, 2021 @ 9:26 am
I miss you grandpa willie. I wish that you were still here with us. I miss our talks and your hugs and stories. I wish that I could