Walter F. Miller

Walter Franklin Miller of Brookdale Assisted Living and formerly 2300 Kings Bay Drive, Kingsport, passed away on November 26, 2023 at the age of 95. He was born on September 9, 1928 in Jonesborough, the son of William F. Miller and Anna Lee Smith Miller.

Mr. Miller graduated from Lamar High School in 1946 and later served 3 years in the U.S. Navy, aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Wright. He attended East Tennessee State University upon discharge from the Navy and later transferred to the University of Tennessee earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1954.

Walter worked at Kingsport Press/Arcata Graphics, retiring after 34 years as manager of Engineering/Maintenance. After his retirement, he went to work as construction manager for Factory Merchant Malls in Pigeon Forge for several years.

Walter served 10 years on the Kingsport Zoning Appeal Board, was a 55-year member of the Kingsport Masonic Lodge 688, and a 40-year member of the Kingsport Kiwanis Club. He also volunteered with Holston Habitat for Humanity, Netherland Inn Association, Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kiwanis Towers, Boundless Playground, along with various other organizations. Walter was named Kiwanian of the year in 1996 and KCVB Ambassador of the year.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Bonnie Kern Miller; three brothers, four sisters, and their spouses.

Survivors include his daughter, Jane Miller Kuss and husband, Jim of Rosman, NC; son, Dr. David Miller and wife, Dr. Betsy Mates of Reno, NV; grandchildren, Zachary Miller Kuss and wife, Corin of Penrose, NC, Taylor Andrew Kuss and wife, Precious of Houston, TX. Left to miss their great granddaddy are great-grandchildren, twins Liam and Claire Kuss, Radiance Kuss, Amaya Harris and Harper Kuss and her mother, Kayla West. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport, with Rev. Karl Netting officiating. The service will be made available via live streaming on the Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home website.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Brookdale Assisted Living for their care of Walter for the last year, and also two special ladies, Rachael Hill and Candye Carter who provided care and assistance to Walter for the past year and a half.