Clay Francis Miller
April 15, 1953 - November 10, 2020

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions

1SG Clay F. Miller, U.S. Army Ret. joined his comrades in arms to march Heaven's streets of gold on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, in John L. McClellan Veteran's Hospital in Little Rock, AR, after a short illness. He is survived by his beloved wife, Freda Bates-Miller of Swifton, AR. His surviving children include a son, Steven Miller (Cat Wilson Struck) 5 children, and 1 grandchild of Waynesboro, PA, a daughter Cindi Miller Cunningham, 3 children, of Germantown, MD, a daughter Nicole Miller Agoston (David) 7 children, Brooksville, FL, a step-son, Bailey L. Chavez, 1 child, of Tuckerman, AR. Other survivors include his brother Dale Miller (Amy) of Holmes Beach, FL, a sister Freddie Miller of Naples, FL.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Richard Miller.

Clay was born on April 15, 1953, to Frederick Miller and Ruth Crowe Miller in Tampa, FL. After completing high school in 1971, where he excelled in sports, Clay moved to Dallas, TX. It was in Dallas that Clay found his way to the Professional Wrestling Circuit. He quickly became popular as the "La Duke". By 1976, he heard his call to serve his country in the United States Army. Clay served our nation both in peacetime and wartime for 21 years. He personified the essence of the non-commissioned officer creed and routinely demonstrated his commitment to the United States Army, our soldiers, and our nation. 1SG Miller began his military career on April 27, 1976, as a power equipment engineer. It was a short time before his path led him to recruit. During the following 19 years, he excelled while recruiting doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel. Along that path, First Sgt Miller was named Station Chief over 19 recruiting stations in MD and NY. Miller earned the Gold Recruiters Badge, The Recruiters Ring, the Chief of Staff Recruiting Award, and the Association of Army Recruiters Distinguished Veterans Award, and the Medal of Merit for just a few of his honorable achievements. After his retirement, First Sgt. Miller continued to mentor prospective recruits and exiting veterans.

Sometime after Clay and Freda married and she retired, they began to travel the state of Arkansas to enjoy the grandest of nature's displays. His favorite was the Spring River. It was in the beautiful Ozarks that clay first experienced the victories and defeats of trout fishing. First Sergeant Mille found his peace with trout fishing, bonfires, and the splendor of nature in the Spring River.

The family plans a celebration of his life at his home in Arkansas where there will be a barbeque and bonfire, which he dearly loved. Afterward, First Sergeant Clay F. Miller will make his final trip back to his beloved home in Tampa, FL where he will be interred in the National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, FL with full military honors.