Reverend Billy Dean Miller

Reverend Billy Dean Miller was born on November 3, 1953, to Fred Lonso Miller and Alta Mae Bradley Miller. Bill, the thirteenth of nineteen children, was a hard worker from a youth. He often spoke of rising early before going to school to help his dad take care of the pigs and do other chores. Having lost his father who preceded him in death at the early age of sixteen, Bill attempted to take on the role of father to his six younger siblings.
 
Bill married the love of his life, Rose Elizabeth Routh (known to all acquainted with her as Betty) on August 15, 1975. He often referred to her especially at church, as “his angel”, although she and everyone else knew that was not the exact truth. To this union two children were born, William Frederick and Crystal Joleen.
 
Billy was also preceded in death by his mother, Alta Mae; five brothers, Harry, Cecil, James, Sonny, and Freddy; four sisters, Virgina Montgomery, Lois Taylor, Ellen Ford, and Jerri Miller; his mother and father-in-law, Everett and Opal Routh; and one grandson, Draco Allen McCallister.
 
Bill leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Betty who was ever by his side as he worked for the Kingdom of God. He is also survived by seven sisters, Evelyn Finley, Shirley Holliman, Ada Holliman, Darlene Sullivan, Jodi Moore (Lloyd), Susie Grooms and Ruth Cash; and two brothers Kenny Miller (Evelyn Louise), and Larry Miller (Debbie). His children, BJ Miller (Celena) of Roby MO, and Joleen Sharpe (Albert) Palm Harbor, FL; grandchildren, Tolonqua Miller, Willy Miller (Kelly), Raegan McCallister, Zoe, Peyton, Gracie, and Abrie Sharpe, Falicity Miller, Kayden, Kaylee, and Parker Miller, and Tyler Edwards; two great-grandchildren, Waylon, and Victoria Mae Miller; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews; and a multitude of friends and acquaintances made throughout the years.
 
Bill accepted his call into the ministry at the age of 21 and together he and Betty worked side by side for the entirety of their forty-nine years. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God Organization for several years and later became a member of The Bible Way Association based in Doniphan Missouri.
 
Bill accepted his first pastorate at a little church in Alton Missouri right after he and Betty were married. They also pastored for a short time in Mansfield MO, and after serving as Youth Directors and Assistant Pastors in various areas including California, Tennessee and Alabama, they accepted a Pastorate in Monett Missouri where they remained for five years.
 
He then returned to his hometown of Peace Valley where he pastored for fifteen years. Bill and Betty then pastored Pine Grove House of Prayer in Willow Springs for 11 years.
 
Upon leaving the pastorate in Willow Springs, Bill began the pursuit of what had been a vision in his mind for several years, to build a church in Mountain View Missouri. After renovating the inside of the building that is now Shepherds Table, the doors were opened on July 15, 2015. That work remains today and has been thriving over the past couple of months despite their Pastor’s illness, the body there remains strong and determined to carry on the vision of their beloved leader.
 
Bill was not above working to help keep the churches he pastored thriving. He worked at a sawmill, factory, and in his later years drove for the SMTS company carrying people who would otherwise have no transportation to needed destinations. The riders loved him and his caring ways.
 
Bill loved to garden and all who knew him declared him to have a “green thumb”, always raising more than he and Betty could ever eat. Many of you here today have been recipients of the fruit of that labor. It was often said of him: “That is the hardest-working preacher I’ve ever seen!”
 
Bill was also quite the carpenter, remodeling many homes and buildings. However, his greatest accomplishment in that area was to build an entire home of his own. Although they lived there only for a short time and left it to be close to their pastorate, it was one of the greatest memories that he and his wife held in their hearts as one.
 
Bill was an extraordinary man and leaves behind quite a legacy having touched a multitude of people across several states. He will be sorely missed by his beloved wife, Betty, their children, The Family at Shepherds Table, and all who knew and were acquainted with him.
 
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 20, at Mount Calvary Powerhouse Church in Mountain View, Missouri, with Connie Womack and Mike Tooley officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8:00 p.m. at Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. Interment was in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Mountain View, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
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