Bill Miller

Bill was born in Harvey, Illinois, a southern suburb of Chicago. “As a youngster, I lived for sports. Baseball was my favorite, but I also played basketball, football and soccer. I rode my bicycle everywhere looking for a possible pick-up game at a sandlot. I became a die-hard Cub fan early in life, following the lead of my father. To go to Wrigley Field with a sack-full of White Castles and a bottle of Pepsi was the ultimate thrill. I remain a loyal Chicago fan of all their professional teams, despite the perpetual pain of being a Cub fan.”

Bill grew up going to church. “I went twice on Sunday and sometimes to prayer meeting on Wednesday. Most of that church consisted of family and friends of family. I was baptized when I was fifteen. When I began questioning my beliefs at age 18, I met considerable opposition, tough my family accepted me and my ‘weird’ beliefs.”

It was around this time as Bill studied that he began to question his ambition to pursue the medical profession. “I was a little lost as to what to do next. I was encouraged to attend Ambassador College because most there shared my newfound beliefs. When I told my parents that I was shifting majors from pre-med to theology and going to a college in Texas, they were eventually kind and supportive.”

Bill says he had no ambition to become a pastor, “but as the years went by, it appeared to others that God might want to use me. I placed the matter in God’s hands, wanting his will to be done. Upon graduation in 1970, I was hired as a ministerial assistant to Burk McNair and Harold Lester in the Nashville/Bowling Green/Cookeville, Tennessee area.”

That summer, Bill took on another role as well. “On August 9, 1970, Kathleen Crocker (a 1970 Ambassador College graduate) and I were married in Seattle. We drove from there to our first assignment in Nashville. We decided to have children quickly because we thought the end of the world was coming soon! Our first daughter, Shari, was born via midwife in a farmhouse in November 1971. In August 1974, Elizabeth was born in a little hospital in Zeeland, Michigan. Shari married Jeff Fowler in 2005 and now lives in Neenah, Wisconsin. Elizabeth married Jamin Mills in 2007 and now lives in Lake Stevens, Washington. We have one grandchild, Ethan, and are expecting another in June.”

When asked what he enjoys most about being a pastor, Bill said, “Unquestionably, the best part of my job is working with God’s children. I have always felt blessed to be able to fellowship and interact with such great people. We served four years in Tennessee, ten years in Michigan, nine years in Wisconsin, and twenty years in Washington. We have made life-long friends in each area and love to go visit them whenever possible.”

Kathy is a big part of Bill’s ministry. “Kathy has been my support system through all forty-three years of our ministry. She has been willing to do whatever job needed to be done from cheerleading coach to Bible study leader. I have told her many times that people want us to come back and visit, mainly so they can see her. She argues, but I know it is true. She has been the nurturing part of our ministry and has always been willing to patiently listen to people’s problems. Along with that, she has set a wonderful example in childrearing and in being a loving wife to a sometimes difficult husband. She truly was given to me and others by God.”

When asked about his most memorable moments, Bill said, “My mind is so full of such wonderful memories from the last 43 years that no one moment stands out more than another. There certainly were difficult times that I can remember if I try, but I prefer not to go there unless totally necessary. Kathy and I consider our years of pastoring as one big joy.”

Bill hopes to retire next month. “My wife retired in September 2012, from teaching special education in middle school. I am planning to retire at the end of June this year. If no one is found to fill the position, I will continue to be here for the members, but my vacations may be a little longer.”

“The one thing I enjoy most about being part of GCI,” said Bill, “is that we are blessed to have such dedicated, capable and loving leaders in our organization. I guess one would need to have been in the shoes of those who have been around for a long time to realize what a joy it is to serve with these individuals.”

Bill’s passion and when he feels closest to God both involve his grandson. “My passion is babysitting and playing with Ethan. He is such a joy and blessing—it is hard to describe the love that I feel when watching and interacting with him. After holding out for 16 months I now am changing diapers! I feel closest to God when I rock Ethan to sleep with his head resting on my shoulder. I thank God repeatedly for this little blessing that he has given us. One time I was patting him on the back as I was rocking him to sleep. I thought he was asleep, but I then I felt his little hand patting me on the shoulder. I told God that I hope that he can feel me patting him on the shoulder occasionally.”