Bruce Edward Miller

Wade

Mr. Bruce Edward Miller, 71 was at home with his earthly family when he joined his heavenly family on February 27, 2021 after a lengthy illness.  He fought illness like a prize fighter, and stayed with us with every ounce of his being.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Butler Funeral Home, Stedman with Reverend Jeffrey Burkhardt officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 2:50 pm at the funeral home prior to the service.  Burial will be private.

He was born on March 19, 1949 in Vallejo, California to the late Lt. Col. (Ret) Alan David Miller and Norma (Sally) Robinson Miller.  He was an "Air Force brat" and lived in nearly 10 states in America as well as France and Turkey.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his brother, Alan David Miller, Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Leonard and Leona Miller of Lake Mountain, CA; and his maternal grandparents, Merton "Monk" and Nellie Robinson of Tampa, Fl.  His extended family, Myron and Rebecca Bunce also predeceased him.  Bruce was accepted as a son by the Bunce family, and he became a rock for the family.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Bunce Miller of Wade, NC; daughter, Allyson Leigh Miller of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; sister, Beverly Miller Forsell; sisters-in-law, Peggy Miller, Barbara Bunce Dail and Linda Bunce; nieces, Dena Dail Breece and Anza King; nephews, Alan D. Miller, III, Richard Dail, Jonathan Cain, Joshua Cain, and numerous family members in Florida and California.

Bruce knew his talent for drawing in grade school, and turned that talent into his livelihood through mechanical engineering.  He designed ships, but his specialty was drawing piping systems for industrial plants.  His work took him on site for weeks or months to Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Wilmington, and many more cities throughout America.  At one point, he worked on three projects and organized a company golf league and tournament on the side.  Sometimes Donna was able to join him, and a cherished memory occurred when Donna and Allyson met him in Oregon for Thanksgiving.

He loved history, and captured the family's history through photographs of the Bunce and Miller extended families.  One special wedding gift he gave to friends was an album of candid photo wedding shots.

Bruce attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.  He also met his future wife of 49 years, Donna Bunce in Tampa.  They were married in Stedman, NC in 1971.

He became a father later in life, and relished  that role.  He delighted in his daughter, Allyson, and was pleased when she followed the Miller tradition and joined the Air Force.  He loved showing Donna his home state of California, and often took Donna and Allyson to visit family and friends in Florida, his second home.

Bruce is best described as a "giver/builder/teacher".  He gave his talents back to God, his love as a foundation for relationships, and his knowledge to anyone who needed it.  He was known in the family as "The Encyclopedia" because of his knowledge about almost anything, and his willingness to share it.

Besides helping to build plants, he also built up people - never tearing them down - making them better and stronger.  He supported Donna and Allyson without question in their endeavors.

Special thanks to the wonderful team who cared for Bruce over the years:  Dr. Wesley Greenwood and Stedman Medical; Drs. Bennin and Paracha of Valley Cardiology; Cape Fear Valley Hospital Heart Unit; the exceptional people of Cape Fear Valley Hospice; and the supportive people of Stedman Drug.

Bruce was a blessing and gift to those who knew and loved him.  We will miss him beyond words.

Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 6535 Clinton Road, Stedman, NC  28391.