Billy Lee was born on June 14, 1927 in Dodge City, Kansas to Arthur L Miller and Eva May Dapron.  He changed addresses, as he liked to call it, March 11, 2022 at the Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by both parents, three older brothers Wilbur, Frank, Arthur J (known as "Shorty"), one older sister Estella, five younger brothers, Charles "known as Chaz", Robert Lloyd "known as Jake", Johnny, Floyd (known as "Froggy"), Delmar Ray (known as "Oscar"), younger sister Neva, wife Maxine and son Bradley.  He is survived by sister Darlene (known as "Pinky") who is living with his sister-in-law Shirley Miller in Longview, Texas, Curtis Miller & wife Gwen living in Walsh, Colorado, Marlo Miller & wife Lynn living in McPherson, Kansas, three grandchildren Derek living in Rangley, Colorado, Sandy Ide & husband Brent living in McPherson, Kansas, Leslie Peterson & husband Chris living in Gilbert, Arizona and four great grandchildren Brooklynn, Miles, Harper and Levi.

Life started with many hardships and struggles that came with living during the "Depression" and the "Dirty Thirty's". Helping his Dad on the farm as the older boys went out to seek their independence, many lessons were learned of the joys, hardships, and satisfaction of growing various crops in eastern Baca County.

Living around the Walsh area, Billy worked for many different farmers, one of those being "Bugs Griffin, a local pilot".  Billy slept in a wooden grainery part of one summer while working for Bugs.  The grainery was located across the street from his house where the present day school lunch room is located. Billy attended school in Konantz and then Walsh. Graduating from the 8th grade, he was ready to go out into the world and make his own way.  His generous spirit started early in life.  He provided financial support to his younger siblings during this time so they could remain in school.

Billy's father had served in the military during World War I and seven of the boys followed his lead serving their country in the military as well.  Billy volunteered for the Navy when he was 17 years old but had to wait until his 18th birthday to officially join so he reported for duty at Lamar, Colorado at age 17, boarded a train to Denver, and ended up in San Diego, California at the Naval Training Depot. Upon his 18th birthday he officially joined the Navy and began his military career.  After basic training he was assigned to Naval Weapons Station at Seal Beach, California. During his time in the Navy he operated cranes, drove ambulances, served as an undesignated medical corpman, manned fire boats, tugboats and drove trucks.  After serving for 2 years, 4 months and 4 days, on October 8, 1947, he received his honorable discharge from the United States Navy with the rank of Seaman Second Class.

Having befriended an elderly couple that operated a hamburger stand near the base, he learned they were wanting to go to Oklahoma to visit relatives. He offered to drive them in their car if they would drop him off in southeast Colorado. He had acquired a prized possession during his time in the navy, a Samaria sword.  He packed that in the trunk of the car and off they went.  He drove them straight through with no stop-overs until they arrived in Walsh, Colorado where he would reside for the rest of his life.  Unfortunately they drove off with his Samaria sword and he never saw them or his prized possession again.

His older brother Frank was living in Walsh at the time so they decided to buy a couple of "D" John Deere's and start their own farming operation.  During this time he also worked for other farmers, drove the Konantz school bus and drove trucks for Olen Hardy.  He was never afraid of hard work.  While living at his Uncle Bertie Dapron's boarding house, he met Frances Maxine Work. As a a recent graduate of the Denver Beautician School, she moved to Walsh from Haxtun, Colorado to go to work for Pansy Walker.  Pansy's beauty shop was located above the Walsh Variety Store. Little did he know he would one day own and operate the Variety Store for over 50 years.  Maxine had moved into a room in Dapron's boarding house.  She was walking home from work one evening in October of 1947 when Billy  pulled over in his 1941 Chevy Pickup and offered her a ride home.  Billy, who was a total stranger to her at the time, must have really been stylin in his 41 Chevy, because even though she was just a block away from home, she said yes.  I think it's pretty clear where this is going.  Knowing a good thing when he saw it, Billy put on the full court press and married her the following spring on April 4, 1948 in Haxtun Colorado.  Leon Harlan, a local farmer he would work for in the future, served as his best man.  Six years later they started their family, having 3 boys, Curtis born on May 31, 1954, Marlo born in the 1957 blizzard on January 31st. (poor little fella, I think he froze his hair follicles that year, he never stood a chance) and Bradley on July 8, 1959. During this time Billie was farming with Clarence Burson.  They raised irrigated corn, wheat, barley, milo, sugar beets, potatoes and broomcorn.  He kept busy working six days a week.  Come Sunday morning, everyone put on their Sunday best and headed to church.  Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, church camp, summer baseball, swimming lessons and school sports were activities that kept the boys busy.

In January 1960, Billy took over the Walsh Variety Store.  He purchased the two story building from Clarence Godfrey and started his retail career.  The second floor contained an old theater, beauty shop and several apartments.  The first floor had the retail business and the basement contained a skating rink. The building also was designated as a civil defense fall out shelter in the event of a nuclear attack. Over the next 15 years Billy tripled the size of the Walsh Variety Store.  He purchased the old pool hall next door to the north, cut an opening in the wall and filled it with sewing goods and lady's apparel.  Several years later he acquired Dykes Mortuary and Furniture building to the north of the pool hall, cut an opening in the wall and filled it with men's apparel, work boots and men's shoes.  "Look out Wal-Mart" you've got competition.  He also started his own farming operation as he was growing his retail business.  This was truly his first love.  Once a farmer, always a farmer.  With three sons who were eagerly willing to "volunteer" their time, he managed to put together 1400 acres of rented and owned farm ground.

Bill's faith was the driving force in his life.  He was active in church and in Business Men's Fellowship ministry.  He didn't just talk the talk, he walked the walk.  His home was always available to host bible studies and gatherings for church activities. He was instrumental in developing a chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Walsh.  Terms such as sacrificial, compassionate, kind hearted, generous, all come to mind when thinking about how he lived out his faith.  He was the happiest when he had all of his family together enjoying fellowship, fun, and good food.

Years later, in 2016 at 89 years of age, Billy decided to retire.  Maxine had developed Alzheimer's and Billy decided to devote his full attention to the love of his life.  He released his rented farm ground, sold the land he owned and rented out two of the buildings to Carolyn Yokum who had purchased the store inventory.  He kept the north building for his advertisement business.  Eventually Maxine's condition deteriorated to the point that he had to move her to the Walsh Nursing home.   Living right across the street from the nursing home made it easy for him to see her at least twice a day, eating dinner with her, playing bingo, and listening to the "oldies." Many people shared stories of the true love they observed between Dad and Mom.

Maxine passed away November 2, 2019 forever leaving a big emptiness in Dad's life. Family gatherings would continue after Maxine's death but there was always an emptiness there for him and his sons.

Billy lived long enough to meet three of his four great grandchildren.  For some reason his great grandson took to calling him "Grandpa punch".  The nickname stuck.  Well Grandpa Punch, we're here to celebrate a life well lived.  Your generous heart, warm smile and kind words touched so many people over your 94 years on this earth.  Thank you for demonstrating what grace, mercy, and love look like.  You will be missed!