Saying goodbye to Bill Miller
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:47 pm
I was informed this morning that Bill Miller passed away during the night. He was the owner of Mountain View kennels in the Manchester area of TN and a member of Estill Springs Little Pack Club. He was regarded as a knowledgeable houndsman and successful field trialer. He typically had 12 - 15 dogs in his kennel and just about everyone of them was either a Rabbit Champion or a Grand. He like the Shakerag blood best and was good friends with the Hills. He also had a couple hounds from his good friend Dana Robinson of Shady Grove kennels.
Bill was kind and soft spoken man. But, he knew what he was talking about and if he had something to say it would definately be worth hearing. He knew dogs well and treated his dogs like family. I came to know Bill when I was looking for someone who ran a starting pen about 7 years ago. Bill stayed booked up at his pen and became kinda an expert at starting pups. He wouldn't hesitate to tell you what he thought of your pup...good or bad!
Even though Bill was in his mid 70's and I am in my mid 30's we became friends.....we had beagles in common, but we also had the Lord and that is two things that transcents age differences. Bill found out that he had cancer just 3 or 4 weeks ago and the Dr. informed him time was short. Bill finished the race strong. He took care of business, tied up loose ends, said goodbye to his friends, gave his hounds to hunting and trialing buddies and then turned to spend his last couple weeks with his family. I talked to him on the phone a couple times this past week and he was encouraging...not sad. Each time we talked he told me, "Remember Pete, family is the most important thing on this earth." He had his priorities straight.
I am blessed to have been one of the friends he left a hound to. A big male that is half Shakerag and half Blue Ninja w/ a huge coonhound mouth. He's a Rabbit Champion w/ 2 wins towards Grand. A nice hound for sure. Bill told me just last week, "Pete, he's a good hound. I want you to have him, run him and take care of him." Thanks Bill for the friendship....it was an honor knowing you!
-Pete
Bill was kind and soft spoken man. But, he knew what he was talking about and if he had something to say it would definately be worth hearing. He knew dogs well and treated his dogs like family. I came to know Bill when I was looking for someone who ran a starting pen about 7 years ago. Bill stayed booked up at his pen and became kinda an expert at starting pups. He wouldn't hesitate to tell you what he thought of your pup...good or bad!
Even though Bill was in his mid 70's and I am in my mid 30's we became friends.....we had beagles in common, but we also had the Lord and that is two things that transcents age differences. Bill found out that he had cancer just 3 or 4 weeks ago and the Dr. informed him time was short. Bill finished the race strong. He took care of business, tied up loose ends, said goodbye to his friends, gave his hounds to hunting and trialing buddies and then turned to spend his last couple weeks with his family. I talked to him on the phone a couple times this past week and he was encouraging...not sad. Each time we talked he told me, "Remember Pete, family is the most important thing on this earth." He had his priorities straight.
I am blessed to have been one of the friends he left a hound to. A big male that is half Shakerag and half Blue Ninja w/ a huge coonhound mouth. He's a Rabbit Champion w/ 2 wins towards Grand. A nice hound for sure. Bill told me just last week, "Pete, he's a good hound. I want you to have him, run him and take care of him." Thanks Bill for the friendship....it was an honor knowing you!
-Pete
