John "Walt" Walter Miller

John Walter "Walt" Miller
John Walter "Walt" Miller, age 80, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at Hedrick Medical Center, Chillicothe, Missouri.
Walt was born the son of James Maxy and Hazel Lorraine (Brock) Miller on February 14, 1938, in Excello, Missouri. Born to a deeply religious family, they attended church faithfully, all sitting in one pew at Mt. Salem Baptist Church in Excello. Walt gave his heart to his Lord and Savior at an early childhood age. He was a 1956 graduate of Macon High School, where he played basketball, and at one time, held the record for the highest average of 26 points per game. After graduation, Walt received a full-ride scholarship for basketball to Kirksville State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri. He met the love of his life on a blind date, wearing an upper body cast after breaking his back in a car accident in 1956. On June 15, 1958, he was united in marriage to Ruth Lafferty in Holliday, Missouri. They spent 60 years together. Walt worked as an art teacher in Kahoka, Missouri, for 3 years, and then for the Chillicothe R-2 School district for 30 years. Walt was a member of the First Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri, for 55 years, where he sang in the choir for 54 years, and served as a deacon for 52 years. He loved reading and writing, especially keeping journals. He also loved mowing paths all around the farm for he and Ruth to take long walks. Walt was known as the Christmas Tree man, having over 4,000 pine trees, with it being a labor of love and fun.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Miller, of the home; one son, Stephen Miller and wife Pam of Chillicothe, Missouri; one daughter, Cynthia Miller Johnson of Chillicothe, Missouri; three grandchildren, Zachary Miller and wife Robin of Holts Summit, Missouri, Whitney Harris and husband Doug of St. Peters, Missouri, and Correy Miller and wife Courtney of Columbia, Missouri; six great grandchildren, Eli, Dallas, and Ryan Miller, Henry and Everett Harris, and Cooper Miller; one sister, Martha Slinkard and husband Jake of Kansas City, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Joan Miller of Orange County, California; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, David, Allen, Richard, and Joe Miller; three sisters, Mary, Lula, and Helen; one nephew, Donnie and one niece, Sharon (who were his childhood playmates); and one great nephew.
Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Monday, December 10, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Sunday, December 9, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Sunday, December 9, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Stucker Cemetery, Laredo, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or the First Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.