Major. Bruce C. “Butch” Miller
VMO-2 “Hostage River”
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Passed away peacefully November 7, 2016 at 1800 hours at Wuestoff Hospice House, Rockledge, Florida. Butch was born in Reinerton Pennsylvania on June 1, 1937 to proud parents Earl S. and Naomi I. “Houtz” Miller. Butch grew up in Holland Patent New York at the corner of RT 274 & East Floyd Rd. in the house his parents built. His special friend Candy Rosenburg lived next to him for many years, as did the Gresacks whom Butch called his family. Stanley would pick Butch up on his way to the milk plant and drop him off at school. Butch would always remind Dave that he knew his father Stanley before he did because Dave was born much later.
Butch attended Holland Patent schools and graduated in 1955. All his life he wanted to be a “Marine” and enlisted in 1956 until his retirement in 1976. Butch moved up the ranks quickly and served as a Marine Guard Complement at the American Embassy in Cairo Egypt from 1957-1959 where he was praised very highly. Butch left there to join flight school where he quickly worked his way up to become a fighter pilot.
Butch became a designated strike leader flying the OVIOA in the Vietnam war. He flew over a 100 missions being shot down twice.
Butch only talked about the good times and the good friends he made over there during the war.
After the war Butch worked at Griffis AFB for a period of time. He worked for a short period of time flying planes Crop dusting and at Steffen publishing Co. in Holland Patent.
During his retirement he enjoyed panning for gold in Yuma Arizona. He did find a little bit and was so proud. He enjoyed riding his bicycle and putting over 150,000 miles on it. He enjoyed his kayaking at Foxy's camp on Kayuta lake.
Butch had a love for boats and owned one the “Karina Leigh”, which he shared many good times on, with his friends at Sylvan beach. The strife tribe as he called them. “Jake”, Janina; Kids Shawn, Mark, Karina, Stacia, Taryn, and Karl, Peg and Dave, Bob Mazza, and Andy.
Butch's main love was his “Book of Shame” as he called it. He traveled the U.S and Canada finding as many bars as he could. Taking a picture of each bar, labeling the name of it, where it was located and then putting it in his photo album. Many of his close friends went with him and he would take a picture of the bar with them standing in front of it. We all know who we are!! Butch comprised a total of 546 bars over the years in 4 albums.
Butch leaves behind so many friends who's lives he touched in many ways. A special girl whom he called his daughter Stacia Strife. Her dad Jake Stife, and family. Her mom Deb Gresack, and family.
Special friends Candy Rosenburg, Jeanine Kirk and Garrie Jones. Ed Strife, and family. Art Strife, and family, Foxy and Patty. Mike Mills, and all the Gresack family. His bars, and bartenders in N.Y and many more. His Florida friends where he retired for 27 years. Jeff Shinn and family. Don Cook and family. Jim Kuhn, and family. Robert Hughes “Country”, Elliot Aldrich “Bud”, “Skipper” Chip Hoffman, Dan Loverige, Joe Francis, Mike and Joni, teacher Bob. His Oasis Bar-Nally, Jill, Carrie. Sunny Side Cafe-Jess, and Autumn. His condo friends, we would like to thank all the staff for their special care of Butch at his time of need.
Holmes Regional Hospital and security staff especially Wayne for his professionalism and humor with his funny faces on the security stickers. It made my visits with Butch so much better.
Life Care Center and Nursing Home. Rockledge nursing home and rehab. Wuestoff Hospice House on Butch's last days. Aging solutions staff Renee, Sherri, and Lisa for their thoughtfulness and caring for Butch and myself during his last days. Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care for their care and arrangements for his cremation.
“Butch” A True Marine FOREVER!
Gone But Never Forgotten!
Goodbye My Friend, My Brother, and sometimes my Dad.
~David Stanley Gresack.