James Wallace "Wally" Miller

James Wallace “Wally” Miller, 86, died April 9, 2024 at Rapid City Monument Health.

Wally was born March 30, 1938, west of Prairie City, SD, on a homestead to Harold and Iva Miller. He joined siblings Lenard, Charles, Wanda. Wayne joined later.

He married Cleo Kopren in Bison, SD, on June 30, 1957. To this union two children were born, Colleen and Jim.

After a short time working road construction, the decision was made to venture into farming and ranching. Wally and Cleo began in the fall of 1958, and worked for one year at his father’s place in Prairie City. The following fall of 1959, they moved to Cleo’s parents’ place, 13 miles south of Bison, where he spent his lifetime growing crops and raising livestock side by side with his wife Cleo. During this time he adventured out, spending many days and nights helping neighbors with C sections and preg checking livestock. Another hobby he truly enjoyed was earning his pilot’s license and owning his own plane. He enjoyed his airtime.

Then at a point in his life it became time to retire, due to some health issues. Off Wally and Cleo went and traveled many miles, saw many sights and met many new friends.

Then came a time for him to come out of retirement for seven years to join his grandson Brandon, who was ready to venture into his own lifetime of ranching and farming, like his Grandpa Wally. Wally was a proud man when this happened!

When Wally and Cleo finally decided to make a final retirement, they moved to Sturgis, SD. There they met up with more new friends and some old ones. His new passion became entertaining with coffee, cards, pegs & jokers, and pool with family, friends, neighbors and anyone that was up to challenging Wally!

Wally is survived by his wife of 66 years, Cleo; daughter, Colleen (Dave) of Piedmont; son, Jim of Sturgis; grandchildren, Brandon (Jill) of Meadow, SD; Joseph of Salt Lake City, UT, Julia (Tony) of Panama City, FL; brother, Lenard (Dee), Casper, WY; Step grandchildren, Heidi (Todd), Dave Jr., Scott, Penny (Scott) and their families, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles and Wayne; sister, Wanda; nephews, Todd, Marc, and Tim; in-laws, Louis and Martha Kopren; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.