6 J The Lovell Chronicle J July 19, 2012
WELCO 4E
JULY 20-21, : ()12, Ct WLl,.,'v 31YOMING
Bill and Linda Miller st00i'ect ea as Pioneer
Bill and Linda are grateful and hon-
ored to be the grand marshals of the 2012
Pioneer Day Celebration.
2012 marks the 100th anniversary
of Bill's father, Fred, and his grandpar-
ents, Gottfried and Sophie Miller, fleeing
to America from Russia in pursuit of the
American Dream. This makes Bill a first
generation American.
Bill says, "Thanks to them, we got to
live that American dream."
Bill was born to Ruth and Fred Miller,
one of a family of five boys and one girl. The
family grew up on the farm east of Cowley.
Bill attended school in Cowley and served
in Vietnam in 1968-69. Bill learned to weld
at Cowley High School and later earned a
Master Mechanic Degree from Wyoming
Tech.
In 1970 he married Linda Adams,
daughter of Bill and Winn Adams. Her
folks owned "The Squeeze Inn" in Lovell.
Remember that?
Linda went to college to study home
economics, then earned her degree in ac-
counting and computer science.
In 1978 they risked everything they
had and started Miller Welding with one
welder and one truck, doing repairs for
American Colloid. They have expanded the
business until it has become, as Bill says,
"A monster."
It now has evolved into Miller Fabri-
cation and they can fix or build just about
anything. The shop just east of Lovell has
been expanded at least seven times over
the years.
Besides working side by side with Bill,
Linda has also worked at Stevens Whole-
sale and Sears, as Cowley's librarian and
as a bus driver. In 1985 she added a parts
store to the shop "so she would have some-
thing to do."
Linda served on the Cowley Recreation
Board for many years and was a lifeguard,
teaching water safety. She served on the
Boy Scout Council and as a Cub Scout lead-
er. She also served on a parents group that
GrandMarsbals
held activities for young people including a
carnival every year. This was before there
were as many activities planned as there
are now. The carnival was a much looked
forward to event.
Bill also took part in many activities in
the community including as a T ball coach
and as an instructor of hunter safety class-
es to ensure that our youth know how to be
responsible hunters.
The Millers have two sons, Kie and
Levi, and a borrowed son, Alan Akin. Alan
came to them when he was in the eighth
grade and has been a part of the family
ever since. They have five granddaughters
and one grandson and one great-grand-
daughter. They enjoy having their family
together for lots of fun times. In 2009 the
whole family went to Disneyland. They
have more exciting trips together planned
for the future.
The Millers are active members of St.
John's Lutheran Church in Lovell.
Bill recently retired and his son, Levi,
became co-owner of the business leaving
Bill and Linda free to enjoy their favor-
ite pastimes including traveling, hunt-
ing, fishing, gardening, farming and build-
ing things. Linda enjoys scuba diving and
archery and has recently become a "rock
hound."
The Millers close with this message:
"We believe in our youth and support them
however we can. Linda and I have traveled
all over the world and Cowley is still home.
Wherever in the world we have been when
we get to see the Pryor and the Big Horn
Mountains, we know that we are home.
"Cowley, Wyoming is a great place to
raise kids."
Stop in and see us during
Cowley Pioneer Day!
Rave a teat time!
...... . .........
LOVEL
A Branch of the Bank of Bridget NA
, YOUR Lt" YOUR ,4@.of • YOUR/omma.,'[y .omb.,
=.= YOU R Ban FI
www, bankoflovell.com • 179 E. 3rd • Lovell • 548-2213
Local customers,
local loans, local deposits...
all at a LOCAL bank.
8 East Main • Lovell, WY 82431
(307) 587-2703
www.bighornfederal.com
I'}L
We'll see you
in Cowley!
Chronicle
ui
