106. William Irving⁴ MILLER (John Ira³, John J.², William Sr.¹) (#956) was born in Defiance, Defiance Co., OH 30 MAY 1871. William died 27 MAY 1966 in Klickitatt Co., WA., at age 94. His body was interred 1966 in WA.

He married Minnie Augusta BALSKE 1893 in Defiance Co., OH.. (Minnie Augusta BALSKE is #6850.) Minnie was born MAR 1872 in Defiance Co., OH.. Minnie was the daughter of August BALSKE and Emelia (?) BALSKE. Minnie died 10 JAN 1945 in Yakima, WA, at age 72. Most likely a sister of Anna Balske Hohenberger and a brother to Julius Balske. Also sisters of Caroline, and Clara

When William was age 23 and Minnie Augusta BALSKE was age 22 they became the parents of Ethel A. MILLER 15 AUG 1894 in Defiance Co., OH.. When William was age 24 and Minnie Augusta BALSKE was age 24 they became the parents of Margaret Adeline MILLER 7 APR 1896 in Defiance, Defiance Co., OH. Irv was a street car driver in Defiance or a conductor in downtown Defiance in his early years. Later he worked as a stationary steam engineer for the local power company. I found him in the 1920 Yakima, Sunnyside, Washington Census with wife Minnie A., dau Ethel, and brother Carl L. I found him in the 1930 Yakima, Sunnyside, Washington Census living with a Minnie A. as wife

These two articles were provided by Peggy O. Storkel grand daughter of W.I. Miller W.I. Miller, 83, Still Holds Own When Hunting When the Amundsons-Lloyd and his sister Allie-invited W.I. Miller along with them on a duck hunting trip, they know full well that they don't have to give him any quarter when a flock of ducks comes over. Even though he is 83 years old he can still do a good job of killing his share of the birds. Miller came to Sunnyside in 1909 and has bought a hunting license every year he's been in the county. The gun that he uses is a prize in its own right. It is a 60 year old Lefever double barrel with full compensating action and even an indicator to tell him which barrel has been fired without opening it. "I've got my order in for a new automatic now, though," he says, "because I'm getting slowed down and need something to compensate for the years." Miller started the first garage in Sunnyside when there were only three cars in the entire city. He can remember, as the cars increased, seeing five stuck in the same mud hole at the corner of Sixth and Edison. Miller is a top-flight machinist and still gets jobs taken to him when others find them too difficult. He has a small shop at his home on ninth street. He started out to be a steam engineer and still carries a first-class license for this profession. At the present time he operates the Walter C. Ball & Son crematory near the cemetery. He built the unit for Ball and has operated it ever since. This is the first year since he came here that Miller hasn't killed a deer. He was in California on a trip during hunting season this year and couldn't make it. As for duck, he says that there isn't as many as here used to be and the limit is smaller but, he says, "you can still get all you want to eat and it's not much fun if you can't go out and earn your kill. Miller's garage ownership in Sunnyside dates back to the tie when he and A.C. Webber and D.D. Van Winkle operate at the building recently occupied by the Studebaker garage. He recalls that when the building was first built people wondered how so much room, could ever be used by a garage. These days, though, Mr. Miller first love is his guns and hunting.

"Dad" Miller Celebrates 90th Birthday (about 1961) "When I came to Sunnyside there were only two cars in town, and now paved streets", reminisced "Dad" Miller, who will be celebrating his 90th birthday Tuesday, May 30, Memorial Day. When I had a garage here in town, back of Haskin's Variety Store" He remembered "I saw six cars stuck in the mud on main street. Sunnyside sure has come a long way since those early days." "I probably have the nicest bunch of neighbors anyone could wish to have.", he said. "They look after me just like one of the family". "Dad" Miller came to Sunnyside in 1909, because he had such bad hay fever where he lived in Ohio. For more than 35 years he operated a garage and machine shop across the street from Ball's Funeral Home, where he also worked part time. He and his partners built the old city hall building, which in the beginning housed a garage. "When we first opened they laughed at us and couldn't understand why we wanted such a large building for a garage," Miller said. "Today" he continued "you couldn't house a good garage in that building." Despite his 90 years "Dad" Miller is a very active man. He still is the president of the cemetery association, and used to belong to the Odd Fellows and the Masonic Lodge. He has one daughter, Mrs Ethel Hunter of Goldendale, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His wife, Minnie, died 20 years ago. Before coming to Sunnyside Mr. Miller was a chief engineer in a power plant in Ohio. "Dad" Miller lists as his hobbies collection guns and hunting. Of the latter he even said he would rather not eat than not hunt. He has sold all of his guns.

William Irving MILLER and Minnie Augusta BALSKE had the following children:

+ 209 i. Ethel A.⁵ MILLER was born 15 AUG 1894.

210 ii. Margaret Adeline MILLER (#1195) was born in Defiance, Defiance Co., OH 7 APR 1896. Margaret died JUL 1912 in North Yakima, WA, at age 16.

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