Billy Dean Miller

Rock Valley, IA: Bill Miller, 81, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 11, at 10:00 AM, at Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Henry Lengkeek officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://trinitycrc.com/. Burial, with military rites, will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley. Public visitation, with no family present, will be held Thursday, December 10, from 2:00-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. Memorials may be given to Hegg Health Center Hospice Renovation or Love INC. 

   Billy Miller was born to A.L. and Lola (Henderson) Miller on April 3, 1939, in Malvern, Iowa. He attended school and graduated from Essex High School in 1956. Following graduation, Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, honorably serving as a Military Police Officer from 1961-1965. Post military, he served the Iowa State Patrol from 1966-1993, and retired from the Iowa State Patrol following 27 years of faithful service. Bill’s example of integrity in law enforcement has inspired many others to serve in law enforcement. His advice was to “Drive ‘double-nickels’ or what you could afford.”

   Bill met the love of his life through a fellow police officer and was united in marriage to Marlene Faber on September 2, 1967. He became an instant father to Mark, Mike, and Melissa Faber and in 1968, Mitch was added to the family.

   Bill’s greatest passions were the Los Angeles Lakers, Iowa Hawkeyes and his family (in that order, LOL). His love for cookies and Cheetos was legendary. Bill loved to put on his Marine uniform for parades and school programs and was a proud active member of the Rock Valley community. He was an active member of Trinity Christian Reformed Church where he served as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and youth leader over the years. He was also a member of the Rock Valley Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, and was a willing and eager volunteer for Love INC. He was also active in prison ministry, serving as a M2 sponsor. Bill was a mentor to many youth and adults in the Rock Valley community throughout his life and will be greatly missed.

   Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marlene; 4 children and their families:

Son – Mark and Tammy (Caswell) Faber - Rock Valley, Iowa

               Granddaughter – Coby and Derrick Haak and their children, Lincoln and Wyatt

               Grandson – Marques and Sarah Faber

               Grandson – Caleb and Lanae Faber and their daughter, Mila

Son – Mike and Karen (Johnson) Faber – Littleton, Colorado

Daughter – Melissa and Mark Carlson – Andover, Minnesota

               Grandson - Trent Carlson

               Grandson – Bradey Carlson

               Grandson – Liam Carlson

               Grandson – Rhys Carlson

Son – Mitchell and Mindi (Dirksen) Miller – Rock Valley, Iowa  

               Grandson – Trent and Katie Miller

               Grandson – Samuel Yun

               Grandson – Layne Miller

   Bill is also survived by sister-in-law, Elizabeth Miller; Marlene’s siblings, Donna Schepel, Allen and Bea Vande Stouwe, JR and Ruth Vermeer, Everett and Judy Vermeer; and many nieces, nephews, and special friends.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 siblings, Mary Johnson, Marvin Miller, and Robert Miller; and Marlene’s siblings, Alfred Schepel and Elaine Jervy.

   Bill’s final message to his family was, “Love you all and try to live the right way.”