Billee Miller

Mrs. Billee Prather Miller passed away Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Ridgecrest in Mount Airy. Born July 8, 1929, in Mount Airy, she was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph William and Gertrude Young Prather; her husband of 66 years, Walter James “Jim” Miller, Jr.; her son, James Thomas Miller; and her sister, Frances Prather Newell. Billee is survived by her son, William “Bill” Prather Miller (Stephanie) of Greensboro; her grandson, Alexander Prather Miller (fiancée, Julia Floreak) of Atlanta, GA; and her granddaughter, Caitlin Miller Burgess (Will) of Falls Church, VA. Billee moved from Mount Airy to Atlanta, GA, in her youth, where she learned to play golf at the legendary East Lake Golf Club before moving back to Surry County. A proud graduate of Mount Airy High School, Billee played on the boy’s golf team when there was not a team for girls, before graduating and matriculating at Greensboro College. Later, she would assist with the Mount Airy girl’s golf team, bringing her story full circle. Golf was an enduring force in Billee’s life until the end. As a teenager, she played in the Women’s U.S. Open in Greensboro; paired with the legendary Patty Berg and Louise Suggs. A former president of the North Carolina Women’s Golf Association, she won the Mount Airy Country Club Women’s Golf Championship three consecutive times, retiring the trophy. She recorded five holes-in-one during her lifetime. In 1950, Billee married Jim, first residing in Charlotte before settling in Mount Airy soon afterward. Together they raised their sons and shared a love of church, golf, and Duke University sports with their extended family. Family was everything to Billee. When her oldest son, Jimmy, suffered a serious injury at age 18 that resulted in paralysis, she and Jim redirected their lives to aid his quest to lead a normal, vigorous life. He would become the first paraplegic graduate of Duke University, and she became the forever “Mom” to Jimmy and Bill’s Duke fraternity brothers. A devoted member of Central United Methodist Church her entire adult life, Billee was an active participant in worship and church activities. She was a Stephen minister and believed strongly in visitation and service to shut-ins and all in need. Anyone who knew Billee appreciated not only her visits, but the cheese straws, pound cakes, or cookies that she always provided. There were countless acts of kindness that went unrecognized because that’s the way she always operated. As good of a mother as she was, Billee was an even better grandmother. Alex and Cait learned to golf, garden, bake, play ping-pong, and hunt for Easter eggs under her constant tutelage. They adored her. There can be no greater legacy than that. The family wishes to thank the staff, nurses, and caretakers at Ridgecrest and Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for their loving care. Billee felt their love and support until the very end. A memorial service will be held Monday, June 14, 2021, at 10:30 AM at Central United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Danny Miller officiating. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 until 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.