Obituary of William Davis Miller

William Davis Miller, DVM, 82, of Forest, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Heritage Green. He was the husband of Teresa K. Miller, DVM, of Forest, VA for 52 years. Born September 29, 1930, in Pulaski, VA, he was a son of the late William Henry Miller and Eloise Runyon Miller. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Va. Tech) in 1953 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. He also served in the Corps of Cadets. He then attended and graduated from The University of Georgia where he received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. After graduating from V.P.I. & S.U. he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served as an Army Aviator and Flight Officer piloting helicopters and light fixed winged aircraft in Korea and Thailand. He received an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain in 1957. Dr. Miller proudly served as a veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Agriculture Consumer Services from 1962 to 1991. He began his career working in animal health, laboratory and meat and poultry inspection programs. He later was appointed coordinator of the meat and poultry inspection program for the entire state of Virginia. He was appointed Chief Staff Veterinarian where he was in charge of program planning and development. In 1984, Dr. Miller was appointed to the position of State Veterinarian, which oversees the entire animal, health regulatory and service program for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, a post he held for seven years until his retirement in 1991. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Teresa K. Miller; three daughters, Carol M. Hawley (Brian) of Fredericksburg, VA, Ann Marie M. Cerullo (Robert) of Richmond, VA, and Julie M. Campbell (Brent) of Evington, VA; two sisters, Lucy M. McSwain of Westchester, PA, and Bonnie M. Duncan (Claude) of Silver Spring, MD; a brother-in-law, Bernard J. Koelber, of Baltimore, MD; and five grandchildren, Koelber Reeves Hawley, Isabella Ann Cerullo, Katherine Elizabeth Cerullo, Grace Elizabeth Campbell, Harrison Guy Campbell and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, John M. Miller. A Mass of Resurrection will be conducted at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Msgr. Michael McCarron, officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Interment will be Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. in Virginia Memorial Park. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 16. The family wishes to thank the staff of Heritage Green for their love and dedicated care given Dr. Miller. The family also wishes to thank CENTRA Hospice for their excellent care and support. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 1160 Pepsi Place, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Diuguid Funeral Service and Crematory, Waterlick Chapel (237-2722), is serving the family.