William (Bill) Earl Miles, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather left this earthly life on June 24, 2024. For the past year Bill resided in Nashville, Tennessee and for the prior seven years he resided in Owasso, Oklahoma.
Bill was born in Paragould, Arkansas, and lived in several Arkansas cities while his father taught school. He attended Paragould High School and, during those years, met the love of his life Roxie Sue Stalnaker from Light, Arkansas.
Bill and Roxie married in 1952, shortly after Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force. Over the course of their marriage, they lived in Biloxi MS, Blytheville AR (where their first child, Rebecca was born), Little Rock AR, the Panama Canal Zone (where their second child, Wesley was born), Lubbock TX, Germany, Altus OK, Paragould AR, Selma AL, and Enid OK. While living in Germany, the family was fortunate enough to enjoy traveling throughout Europe visiting several countries and often camping along the lovely Rhine River.
During his 20 years as an air traffic controller, Bill was also stationed in Okinawa, Thailand, and Alaska. He served as a first sergeant for 5 years at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma until his retirement in 1976. While in Enid, Bill completed a B.S.B.A. degree in Aviation Management from Phillips University.
Upon his retirement from the Air Force, Bill and Roxie moved to Paragould where Bill earned an MBA plus 30 hours in education in 1978 from Arkansas State University. He subsequently taught business courses at Arkansas State University, Three Rivers Community College and Southeast Missouri State University.
In 2012, Bill retired a second time (this time from teaching) to spend time with family. After his beloved wife passed away in 2016, Bill moved to Owasso to be closer to his son and his family, including two great-grandchildren. In 2023, he moved to Nashville to be closer to his daughter and granddaughter.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William Howard Miles of Paragould and Jewel Boggan of St. Louis, as well as by his brother Jackie Miles of Paragould and his sister Joan Agee of Paragould. Surviving relatives include his half-brother Alvin Boggan of Collinsville, IL, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins in Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia. He also leaves behind his daughter Rebecca Miles, his son and daughter-in-law Wes and Lori Miles, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in Paragould, Arkansas, after a private graveside service. Those wishing to honor Bill’s life by supporting the philanthropy of both Bill and Roxie are invited to make contributions to Wounded Warriors, the Veterans Administration, or Tipton Children’s Home in Tipton, Oklahoma.