William David (Dave) Miller, age 90, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 26, 2025. Many affectionately knew him as "Uncle Dave."
Dave was born on February 16, 1935, in Williamsburg, Virginia to Thomas and Kathryn Miller. Dave grew up in Williamsburg and went on to serve two years in the Navy, after which he was honorably discharged. He attended Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee, where he met and married Mary Daniel. He earned his bachelor's and master's degree in education and served many years as a P.E. Coach and teacher. Dave also sold insurance for many years, eventually managing his own firm. He enjoyed refereeing basketball and football games all his adult life. Dave moved to Florida to be near his sister Joan Dumas and brother-in-law George Dumas. He met Jane Phillips in 2001, and they were married in 2003.
Dave was a devoted father to his son and daughter: David Miller (and Sally, of Texas) and Dena Farless (and Johnny, of Tennessee), and to his two stepchildren: Bob Phillips (and Gidget, of Michigan) and Renee Lewis (and Clarence, of Florida). He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren, and a loving great-grandfather to many great-grandchildren. Dave was preceded in death by his brother, T.C. Miller, his sister, Joan Dumas, and his brother-in-law, George Dumas.
Dave was known for his goofy jokes, mind puzzles, and magic tricks-especially his two-dollar bill trick. Above all, Dave loved his Lord and His church family. He was a hard worker right to the end and loved nothing better than to volunteer helping those who had been struck by a hurricane or flooding. Dave loved sports, westerns, building bird houses, and drawing cartoon characters. The first thing many people say about Dave is how kind he was to everyone he met.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 3 at 2:00 at 53rd Avenue Church of Christ, in Bradenton. Friends and family are invited to attend and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mount Dora Children's Home or the Food Pantry ("Bread Box") of the 53rd Avenue Church of Christ.
Dave Miller will be deeply missed by people of all different ages. Children loved his magic tricks, friends loved going to Dave and Jane's to play games, and his neighborhood enjoyed free hot dogs every 4th of July. He treasured a t-shirt given to him a few months ago by the Bradenton Christian School basketball team as their Number One fan. Above all, Dave wanted to share with others the love that Jesus shared with him. His legacy is a long trail of people who experienced that love firsthand.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
