The Missionaries of the Precious Blood announce the 60th anniversary of Fr. William Miller, C.PP.S.
Fr. Miller, a native of Bellevue, Ohio, entered the Congregation in 1950 at Brunnerdale, the Congregation’s former high school seminary outside of Canton, Ohio. He was ordained on June 8, 1963, at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, Ohio.
Fr. Miller served God’s people in parish ministry during most of his years as a priest.
He was parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Sedalia, Mo., from 1964–69; and St Mary Church in Centerville, Iowa, from 1969–73. In 1973, he was appointed director of seminarians at Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, Mo.
Fr. Miller returned to parish live in 1977, when he became pastor of St. Michael, St. Aloysius, St. Anthony and St. Bernard Churches in Linton, N.D. He served there for 10 years.
In 1989, he became pastor of St. Anne Church in Warsaw, Mo., and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Cole Camp, Mo. He returned to Sacred Heart Parish in Sedalia in 1992, and also served in the mission church of St. John the Evangelist, Bahner, Mo.
In later years, Fr. Miller also served at Sacred Heart Church in Charitan, Iowa, and mission churches at St. Francis, Corydon, Iowa, and St. Brendan, Leon, Iowa. In 2011, he returned to Sacred Heart in Warrensburg, where he had begun his priestly ministry so many years before.
Fr. Miller moved in 2015 to St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio, where he was ordained. He makes his home there among his brother Missionaries.
While still a student at Brunnerdale, Fr. Miller received the nickname “Bigger” and has carried it with him throughout his life. Certainly, his generous heart is bigger than most.
He is a man of compassion and kindness, which made him a wonderful and beloved pastor.
His love for the priesthood and for the Community is revealed when he sees another Community member or Companion or a member of a parish where he once served, and a smile fills his face. It is the biggest smile you’ll ever see.