James William Miller Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on June 10, 2026.
Jim will be remembered for his leadership, his faith, his love of learning, and the quiet devotion he showed to his family, friends, church and community.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Elizabeth Simmons Miller; his sister Betty Smith of Newport News, Virginia, daughters Kelly Elizabeth Miller of Roanoke Rapids and Tracy Miller Hughes of Lynchburg, Virginia; sons James William Miller Jr. (Wendy) of San Francisco, California and Eric Luther Miller of Roanoke Rapids; grandchildren Ashley Hughes Rickman (Zack), Courtney Hughes Eads (Collin), Will Miller and Ben Miller; and great-grandchildren Reese Rickman, Wyatt Rickman and Layla Eads.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Velmer Charles Miller and Irene Beaubian Miller; his brother, Charles Edward Miller; and his sister, Jean Miller Smith.
Born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1934, Jim graduated from Warwick High School, the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company Apprentice School, and Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. He began his career with Newport News Shipbuilding and participated in the sea trials of the USS Enterprise before its commissioning.
His professional engineering career in mechanical and electrical design took his family to Lynchburg, Virginia; Cary, North Carolina; Brentwood, Tennessee; and Richmond, Virginia. While living in Richmond, Jim and Elizabeth traveled to Kenya on a Methodist mission trip, spending time in Rapsu Village near Nairobi helping to build electric fences to protect villagers from wild animals. It remained one of his favorite memories. He also enjoyed opportunities to work in China and Taiwan and was grateful for those experiences.
In 1996, Jim and Beth moved to Roanoke Rapids, where together they opened a Ben Franklin Craft Store in Becker Village Mall. Later, they opened The Frame Shop while Jim continued his engineering practice, James Miller and Associates, P.A., until his retirement in 2020.
Jim was an active member of First United Methodist Church, where he especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School and participating in the Wednesday Men’s Prayer Breakfast. Following the church’s closing, he and Beth became active members of New Hope United Methodist Church.
He was devoted to his community, serving on the Roanoke Rapids Planning Board and participating in both the Rotary Club and Lions Club.
An avid reader, Jim often had two or three books underway at the same time and delighted in sharing them with family and friends. He especially loved playing golf with his children and grandchildren during family gatherings and with friends throughout the years.
The family is grateful to the caring staff of Nash Hospice for the comfort and compassion they provided to Jim and his family.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 starting at 11:00am at Wrenn Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00pm with Pastor Sue Owens officiating. Inurnment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery, with a time of fellowship and refreshments afterward at New Hope United Methodist Church.