Willard Miller

Willard "Bud" Miller, 84, of Ottawa and formerly of Peoria, died Thursday, August 21, 2008 at LaSalle County Nursing Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM Monday, August 25, 2008 at St. Patrick's Church with the Rev. Philip Halfacre officiating. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery with Military Services. Visitation will be from 2:00 - 5:00 PM Sunday, August 24, 2008 with prayers at 2:00 and the Knights of Columbus in attendance. Willard was born August 21, 1924 in Meridian Township, Earlville to Roy and Isabelle (Thompson) Miller. He married Mary Agnes December 26, 1955 at St. Patrick's Church, Ottawa. He worked for Ruyle Refrigeration Corp. for 44 years. Mr. Miller served in the Army during WWII. He is a member of St. Patrick's Church, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Local 353 and the Men's Club at St. Thomas in Peoria. He was also past Presidentof the Illinois Valley Two Cylinder Club. Bud graduated from Somonauk High School and went to Bradley University for two years. He is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Philip of Woodstock and Jeffery (Patti) of Prior Lake, Minnesota; three grand children, Sean, Kyle and Ryan; one sister, Mary English of Bloomington and two brothers, Rev. Walter Miller of New Jersey and Edward (Barbara) Miller of Ottawa. Willard was preceded in death by six brothers, Robert, James, Royal Jerome, Bernard "Bammer", Richard and Donald and one sister, Laura Matthews. Pallbearers will be LaRue and Steve Foster, Chris Benson, Don Sefried, and Sean and Kyle Miller.