Archy "Bill" W. Miles

Archy W. "Bill" Miles, 92, of DeSoto, Illinois, passed away at his residence in DeSoto, at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, September 2, 2012. Archy was born on April 25, 1920, in Dutchtown, Missouri, to Charles F. and Josephine Maria (Wright) Miles. On November 30, 1930, the Miles family moved to Grand Tower, Illinois, where he grew up, along with his sibling, near the Mississippi River and bluffs, which he so dearly loved. He married Nancy Lucille Reeder in Charleston, Missouri, on April 11, 1942, and "Lucille" survives. Bill was a veteran, having served honorably in the United States Army Air Corp. After serving his country as an airplane mechanic, they settled in DeSoto and were blessed with two children, George Leroy Miles (Cheryl) of DeSoto, and Linda J. Goforth (Jerry W.) of Carbondale, Illinois, as well as an ex-son in law Cleveland F. "Pete" Grammer, of Murphysboro; their three grandchildren as William Edward Grammer (Cynthia) of Saucier, Mississippi, Stephanie Lynn Crews (Michael) of Destin, Florida, and Julie Ann Gaffney (Michael) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; and two great-granddaughters Kimberly Lynn Grammer of Saucier, Mississippi and Bailey Lane Gaffney of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and one great grandson Max Gaffney of Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Other survivors include three brothers and sisters-in-law and one sister Joseph L. Miles (Joanne), Benny R. Miles (Nancy), and Betty R. Miles, all of DeSoto, and Lee Britt Miles (Geneva) of Roosevelt, AZ; as well as his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Carrol Reeder (Lou) of Gastonia, NC. Bill was also a beloved uncle, who is remembered by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, three sisters, four half-sisters, two half-brothers, and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Miles attended the DeSoto First Baptist Church. He was a mason and a member of the DeSoto Chapter, and a life-time member of the DuQuoin V.F.W. Post # 513. On a more personal note, "Bill" enjoyed the outdoor life and was often off hunting or fishing, his two lifelong pursuits. He had hunted and fished over a large part of the United States and Canada. He was an excellent mechanic, who owned Miles Auto Salvage Repair and towing for 55 years in the same location, before retiring and turning the business over to his partner and son, Leroy. Bill was well known for his loved of a good prank and didn't care if he was the prankster or the recipient. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 6, 2012, at Pettett Funeral Home, with Pastor Josh Wehrmeier of the DeSoto Baptist Church will be officiating, and burial will be at Walker Hill Cemetery, with military services conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Post # 7190 and 2605, and the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and until 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Masonic Services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VNA TIP-Hospice, the Jackson County Wildlife Turkey Federation, or the DeSoto Baptist Church. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Archy "Bill" W. Miles

April 25, 1920 - September 2, 2012