Norval Miller

After living 96 years, Norval passed away peacefully Wednesday with his wife and son at his side. Norval's journey began April 17, 1919, in Doby Springs, Oklahoma, as he was born to William "Nolan" and Mildred Lee. At the time, he had only one older brother, William Nolan, Jr. After their first sister, Mildred "Naomi" was born, the family moved to their ranch in Rosston, Oklahoma. Before long there were 11 youngsters on the Miller Ranch. Growing up was busy on the ranch. The kids helped out with all aspects of ranch life and lived very humbly. Their father taught the boys how to box and Mildred taught the girls to sew and manage a kitchen. The ranch pond would ice over in the winter and the kids would skate over it. Growing up, Norval realized that the ranch was not his calling. Education was more suited to him. Norval graduated from Buffalo, Oklahoma, High School in 1936. After graduating high school, Norval began to scrape some money together and set off to college at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He began his studies, money was tight, and World War II was in motion. Norval decided to enlist in the Army. By his own account, Norval entered into Federal Service from Alva, Oklahoma, with the National Guard's 45th Division on September 16, 1940. Norval entered as a private and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. He served our country for 5 years, 3 months and 3 days as a member of the combat engineers. He was discharged from Camp Chafee, Arkansas on December 19, 1945, where he was a member of the 55th Engineer Battalion, 10th Armored Division. During World War II, he safely guided troops through mine fields, successfully orchestrated crossings at the Neckar River, and helped create a steel treadway near Trier at Eitelsbach, which allowed tanks to cross a river and free a besieged infantry company. The Battle of the Bulge was another battle Norval played a role in winning. He was well decorated for all of his efforts. He was always humble about his awards and was quoted as saying, "the decorations I received are certainly very nice but they were a lot like others that were handed out - I received the credit for a good job done by the men working with me." Norval's military decorations include a Silver Star Medal for Gallantry, Bronze Star Medal for Heroic Achievement, American Defense Medal, European Theater of Operations Medal with three campaign battle stars, Victory Medal for World War II, and the Presidential Unit Citation for action in the "Battle of the Bulge" Bastogne, Belgium. Norval served honorably under General George S. Patton and was honored to get to visit with him personally. After exiting the Army, Norval enrolled at Oklahoma State at Stillwater, Oklahoma to complete his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. He graduated in 1949. Norval worked for the Corps of Engineers until he retired. On July 16, 1961, in a beautiful home in Amarillo, Texas with Ruth and Winfrey Moore as their witnesses, Norval married his beautiful bride Mary. They were instantly a family of three with Mary's lovely daughter Beverly. The family traveled to many locations dictated by Norval's work. Albuquerque became their forever home in 1964. On December 6, 1966, they welcomed their son Larry into their family. Norval enjoyed bowling, golfing, and playing bridge. He took the family on many RV road trips and they crossed over much of the United States camping and visiting a variety of places. Norval retired young and he and Mary became travelers. The couple went many times to Europe and visited some of the countries he knew during the war. Norval and Mary cruised in Alaska where they consumed a lifetime supply of salmon. They also visited Hawaii. Much of the world has been graced with his presence. With all of Norval's many great accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. Mary has always been his bride and he always admired the way she took care of the home and his children. Norval has always found pride in his son Larry. Some of the happiest memories cherished by the family are those when he is with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His grandchildren are angels and always made him smile. Norval was welcomed in Heaven by his father William Nolan Miller; mother Mildred Lee Showalter; brothers William Nolan Miller, Jr., Allen Miller, Edmond "Cody" Miller, and Warner "Zack" Miller; sisters Mildred "Naomi" Rice and Bertha Dee Miller; his son Richard Wayne Miller; and daughter Beverly McMordie. He is survived by his wife Mary F. Miller; son Larry Miller and his wife Lisa; Grandchildren Tiffany Morrisak and her husband Bryan, Frank McMordie, Nolan Miller, Jillian Miller and great-grandson Austin Morrisak; his brothers Richard "Taylor" Miller, Jack Miller, and Merton Miller; his sister Madeline Louise Hill, as well as special friends Sherita and Dave Hagberg. A visitation will be held on Monday, August 31, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, August 31, 2015, 2:00 p.m. at Sombra del Monte Christian Church, 2525 Vermont NE. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to Sombra del Monte Christian Church, the Salvation Army, , or the Storehouse, 106 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102.