Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
9:10 am Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Billy Ray Miller

Billy Ray Miller, age 76, Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence.

Mr. Miller loved music, both country and gospel. He loved playing guitar and singing, and he passed that passion onto his grandchildren. He was a member of Duncan Creek Baptist Church.  He was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who knew him.

The visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sept. 14 at Spry Memorial Chapel, with the funeral following at 4 p.m. in the chapel. Officiating will be Bro. Tim Griffin. Burial will be at Franklin Memory Gardens.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Mattie Miller.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife and best friend of 50 years, Wanda Willis Miller. Also surviving are his daughters, Tonja Hampton and husband Patrick and Bridgett Miller Johnson; grandchildren, Brandi Lynn Miller Croy, Sydney B. Johnson, David Brady Johnson and Samuel Miller Johnson; mother, Phares Hester; sisters, Joyce Green and Rita Hughes; brother, Ricky Hester; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The pallbearers will be Patrick Hampton, Tony Gann, Matt Forshey, Jimmy Croy, Brady Johnson, and Samuel Johnson. The honorary pallbearers will be his lifetime friend, Tommy Oliver, and brother, Ricky Hester.

The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to the staff of Southern Care Hospice, Northwest Alabama Cancer Center, friends at Frankfort Missionary Baptist Church and Joyce Green for their love and care through this difficult time.

Also on Franklin County Times
Drone contraband is becoming a problem
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Area law enforcement officials say they support the idea of more authority to stop drones from delivering contraband into jails. Alabam...
Oliver: Too many children are being abused
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County deputies investigated 85 cases involving child and sexual abuse in 2025. “For a county the size of Franklin County, tha...
Sentencing delayed again in manslaughter trial
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Brandy Dowdy will have to wait even longer to learn how long she will serve in prison after her sentencing was delayed for the second t...
Garden club hosts plant, bake sale
Columnists, News, Red Bay
In the Community
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RED BAY — The Red Bay Garden Club held its annual plant and bake sale Saturday at the high school greenhouse to raise funds for projects across the ci...
Has the city on a hill lost its shine?
Columnists, Opinion
April 15, 2026
Ronald Reagan used the “Shining City on a Hill” as a metaphor for the United States as a beacon for freedom and democracy in the world. Joe Biden ofte...
Delta Kappa Gamma learns gardening tips
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
April 15, 2026
Our April meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma at Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville featured a lively and practical program by Trace Barnett, a native of...
TVA president, CEO announces retirement
News
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
April 15, 2026
Less than a year after he was named president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Don Moul told members of the board of directors he will be re...
Students’ art selected for State Capitol exhibit
News, Russellville
By Maria Camp camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The art of three Russellville Elementary School students is on display at the Alabama State Capitol through April 28. Khloe Ball, a fou...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *