Wilbert Miller, Sr.

Wilbert Joseph Miller, Sr., 83, of Winnie, died Friday, August 23, 2019, at the Arboretum of Winnie. He was born December 26, 1935, in Beaumont, to Constance Thibodeaux Miller and Sidney Dominic Miller. Wilbert was a United States Navy veteran.

To know Wilbert was to know kind humility, generosity, and true concern for everyone. Growing up from humble beginnings, he had a keen awareness for people’s needs and always tried to ease the burden of those who suffered. He loved us all, loved his wife with all he had, and showed his sense of humor even when he was unable to fully communicate with us for other essential things.

He was a proud Cajun. His favorite thing to do was to cook gumbo for anyone who would sit down and eat. He loved Cajun music, and in his mind, Andrew Cormier and Rodney LeJeune were as famous as George Strait and George Jones.

Wilbert loved his family and would argue that his children and grandchildren grew up to be the most essential employee of any place that they worked. He was a loyal employee to Central Freight Lines, where he worked most of his life, and he demanded that his children be dedicated and loyal employees for as long as they drew a paycheck.

He loved talking about his proud service in the United States Navy and continued to share his stories until he was no longer able to communicate with us.

In his younger days, he enjoyed fishing, playing dominos, and dancing. As his body and mind began to fail, he still joyfully played dominos with his boys and danced with his daughters whenever he could.

Wilbert and his wife enjoyed traveling and enjoyed many cruises and vacations with family. He was always planning the next trip and looked forward to every adventure. Many of our most precious memories are tied to his excitement and joy in planning and traveling on these trips.

Most of all, he will be missed for his sense of humor, his loving heart, and that wonderful contagious smile he was always eager to share. If he knew you, he loved you. Many of you had a very special place in his heart.

Survivors include his sons, James Miller, of Winnie; Kyle Miller and his wife, Cynthia; and Wilbert Joseph Miller, Jr., and his wife, Ruth, all of Fannett; daughters, Debbie Clark and her husband, Patrick, of Winnie; and Pamela Hargraves and her husband, Greg, of Nederland; grandchildren, Jason Vandiver; Russel Hargraves; Christa Martin; Zachary Clark; Chelsea Jannise; Nathan Miller; Brian Perrin; and Lester Perrin, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Oren Vandiver; Asa Martin; Emilia Beth Martin; Alexandria Jannise; David Warthen; Destinee White; Gavin Perrin; Noah Perrin; Blaine Perrin; and Madelyn Perrin; great-great-grandchildren, Austyn Warther and Dawson Warthen; brother, William Miller; sister, Bessie Mae Fontenot; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Constance and Sidney Miller; wife, Joyce Leger Miller; brothers, Adam, Lawrence Lee, and Billy Joe Miller; and sisters, Mary Alice Norris; Ethel Foux; and Betty Broussard.

A gathering of Mr. Miller’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 25, 2019, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday August 26, 2019, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or at www.alz.org.