Walter James Miller, Jr. passed away on November 6, 2016, at Mountain Valley Hospice in Dobson. He was born on January 9, 1925, in Ronda, North Carolina. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, the Reverend Dr. Walter James Miller and Anna Atwood Miller; his beloved son, James Thomas Miller; his sister, Geraldine Miller Dowdy; and his brother, Thomas Raymond Miller. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Billee Prather Miller of Mount Airy; his son, Bill Miller (Stephanie) of Greensboro; his sister, Katherine "Kitty" Coble (Howard) of High Point; his grandson, Alexander Prather Miller of Atlanta, Georgia; and his granddaughter, Caitlin Graham Miller of Dallas, Texas. The son of a Methodist minister, Jim grew up in a number of towns in western North Carolina before graduating from Mount Airy High School in 1942. A standout all-around athlete with the Granite Bears, he was recruited to play tailback at Duke University by the legendary football coach Wallace Wade. His college career was interrupted by a stint at the Midshipman's School at Northwestern University and three years of active service as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He returned to Duke after the war, graduating in 1947. In 2006, Jim was honored for his prep and collegiate athletic excellence by his induction into the Mount Airy Sports Hall of Fame. A modest, humble man, this remained one of his proudest accomplishments. Jim began his business career with B.F. Goodrich and International Harvester in Charlotte before returning to Mount Airy, eventually joining Burke Insurance Agency. He was an active church and community leader, serving as president of the PTA, the Reeves YMCA and the Youth Foundation. A longtime member of Central United Methodist Church, he served the church faithfully in numerous leadership roles. Later in life, he also cherished his relationship with Salem United Methodist Church. An avid golfer, Jim's love of the game led him to the love of his life. He first met Billee during a golf match at Mount Airy Country Club. They eventually married in 1950 and shared a passion for golf and all things Duke for the rest of their lives together. Springtime for Jim and Billee meant two things: the ACC Basketball Tournament and the Masters Golf Tournament. An original member of the Iron Dukes, Jim enjoyed nothing more than attending football and basketball games with his family in Durham and across the country. (If he could combine golf with a Duke sporting event, so much the better.) He and his son, Bill, were in attendance of the famous 1992 NCAA Tournament Duke-Kentucky basketball game and never forgot the thrill of sharing the miracle of Christian Laettner's last shot. More than anything else, Jim cherished his family. From his late son, Jimmy, who overcame paralysis to graduate as the first paraplegic student at Duke University, to his beloved grandchildren, Alex and Cait, "Da Da Jim" was eternally supportive and loving. The family wishes to thank the many nurses and caretakers, particularly those at Ridgecrest and Mountain Valley Hospice, for their excellent care during these final weeks. Special thanks, also, to cherished family friends F.A. and Joanne Martin, Steve Dillard, and Tony Fowler, who have lovingly provided incredible support all along the way. A memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Friday, November 11, 2016, at 3:00 PM. A visitation will be held before the service at the church from 2:00 until 3:00 PM. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery with military honors conducted by VFW Memorial Honor Guard Post 2019 of Mount Airy and Post 9436 of Pilot Mountain. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030, Salem United Methodist Church, 2591 Wards Gap Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Service in Mount Airy is serving the Miller family. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.