Obituary of Paul Felix Miller, Jr.

Bedford – Paul Felix Miller, Jr. 100, of Bedford, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Stonebridge Health Campus. Born December 9, 1924, in Bedford, the son of Paul and Iva M (Bloodsaw) Miller. He married Joyce Green on August 7, 1946, and she preceded him in death on July 3, 2015. He was in the U.S. Navy and retired from the U.S. Army. He retired as a local businessman after forty years. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Gillen Post #33 American Legion. Paul’s military career spanned more than 39 years of active duty before he retired in 1980 as a full colonel. After graduating from Mitchell High School in 1943, he was drafted and entered the Navy in July, that year. After training at Great Lakes naval Station, Illinois, he was sent to the anti-aircraft center in New Orleans in 1944, serving as an instructor there for two years. His next assignment was at Gulfport, Mississippi, where he helped establish a separation center, and from there went to a separation center in Norman, Oklahoma, as an instructor. In 1947, Paul was appointed Navy recruiter in Bloomington, and a year later was transferred to the Army National Guard in Bedford. He was promoted from personnel sergeant to personnel officer of the 138th Tank Battalion, 38th Infantry Division. He accepted a full-time position as battalion adjutant and administrative officer, followed by and assignment as Company “A” commander of the 138th, then battalion executive officer. He was named assistant chief of staff for the 38th Division at Indianapolis, then assigned to 76th Brigade headquarters at Columbus as adjutant and administrative officer. Paul was promoted to lieutenant colonel and given on of the key assignments of his career – battalion commander of 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry, with headquarters at New Albany, where he had charge of units in Seymour, North Vernon, Madison, Salem, Scottsburg and New Albany. He then became post training officer at Camp Atterbury, where he organized and established an annual training equipment pool (ATEP). This involved an estimated 55 heavy equipment mechanics and hundreds of pieces of heavy equipment, including army tanks, armored personnel carriers, and bulldozers for the military in a six-state area. The success of this pool led to Paul’s next assignment, as chief of training aids and audio visual at FORSCOM, Fort McPherson, Georgia, headquarters for all Army personnel in the U.S. While there from 1974 to 1977, he was promoted to full colonel. In addition to being responsible for 23 activities in the country, he had charge of military documentation of world events, including the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter and a devastating tornado in South America. The work at McPherson served as a backup for the Pentagon in the event of a major disaster. While at Fort McPherson, he was sent to Indonesia for four months to teach training aids to their military. Paul returned to Indiana for his final assignment, as director of selective service for the state. Evan though he had completed over 39 years of active military duty, he remained in the Army reserves for the remainder of his life. He was one of the few officers from Indiana to graduate from the National War College at Fort McNair, Virginia. The course included methods of assisting military leaders in peace negotiations with other countries. Henry Kissinger, then secretary of state, was one of his instructors. Paul was also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Other schools he attended include Navy Gunner’s Mate School, Great Lakes, Armor Officer (Basic) and Armor Officer (Career), both as Fort Knox, Kentucky, Personnel Management Officer Course, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, FBI Riot Control School (twice), Fort Benning, Georgia. He is survived by a son, Steve Miller, of Bedford; five grandchildren, David Michael Miller, Mark Stephen Miller, Brian Patrick Miller, Michael Stephen Miller and Audra Ann Miller Sater; nine great-grandchildren, David’s children, Brody A. Miller, Ian Curtis Miller and Cameron Miller; Brian’s children, Blake Miller, Joseph Scott Miller and Olivia Nicole Miller; Michael’s children, Lilly Grace Miller and Ella Elizabeth Miller; Audra’s children, Coleman Sater and Winifred Sue Sater; two daughters-in-law, Mona Sue Miller, of Bedford and Sharon Miller, of Shelbyville. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a daughter, Debra Joy Miller; a son, Paul Felix Miller, III; a sister, Evelyn M. Peterson; two brothers, John William Miller and George T. Miller. Funeral services will be conducted at 5:00 pm on Friday, January 24th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastor Will Brown officiating. There will be no graveside service at Green Hill Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by members of Gillen Post #33 American Legion. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until the hour of service on Friday at the Day & Carter Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Bedford. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.