Bill G. Miller

Bill G. Miller, 75, passed away March 4, 2013 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center after an extended illness.  He was born May 14, 1937 in Boise City, OK to Harley and Ethel (King) Miller.

At the age of nine, the family moved to Colorado settling in La Junta.  Bill worked several jobs including; the Santa Fe Railroad, Trailways Bus Lines, Harris Brothers Body Shop, and Ruby’s Auto Body.  He was a lifetime member of the La Junta Elks Lodge #701 for 41 years.

Bill married Sonya Prather in 1958. To this union, three children were born; William Harley, Shelby Lynn, and Monty J.  They divorced in later years.  He married Opal Stranberg, whom he met at the Santa Fe Railroad in 1964.  She passed away in 1969.  In 1981, Bill married Judith K. (Hannebaum) Eden.  Enlarging this family were Jody Lynn Swallow, Janice Jane Delong, Jerry Wayne Eden, and Julie Jonette Davidson.  They made their home in North La Junta.

Bill enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and going to see his children.  Due to his illness, his retirement years of enjoyment were cut short.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Harley and Ethel Miller; his second wife, Opal; parents-in-law, Leonard and Irma Hannebaum; sisters-in-law, Joyce Paugh and Selma Bolling; bothers-in-law, Kenneth Bolling and Leonard Hannebaum Jr.; and a niece, Sandra (Morrow) McCall.

Survivors include his wife, Judith K. Miller of the home; son, William H.(Brenda) Miller of Parker, CO; daughter, Shelby L.(Dave) Miller-Frankmore of Pueblo West, CO; son, Monty J. Miller of New Haven, MO; daughter, Jody L. (Kris) Swallow of Parachute, CO; daughter, Janice J. (Dennis) DeLong of Pueblo West, CO; son, Jerry W. (Geri Lynn) Eden of Gwinn, MI; daughter, Julie J. (Jerry) Davidson, Jr. of La Junta, CO; sister, Betty J.(Bill) Morrow of Pueblo West, CO and 22 grandchildren & 13great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Dick Paugh of Manzanola, CO and Jim Hannebaum of Rocky Ford, CO; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon and Ronald Grasmick of Rocky Ford, CO; sister-in-law, Shirley Hannebaum of Wray, CO, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the La Junta Elks Lodge #701 scholarship fund in Bill's name direct or through the funeral home.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


A private family burial will be held on Friday and a Celebration of Life reception for family and friends will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 1:00P.M. to 3:00P.M. at the family home at 23930 County Road 27, La Junta, CO, 81050.