August 20, 2013

William D. “Buddy” Miller, president of the San Patricio Municipal Water District Board of Directors until stepping down in 1990, died July 24 at the age of 94.

Mr. Miller’s life and service to San Patricio County were celebrated by his family and friends.

He served on the Water District board for a total of 25 years representing the City of Taft.  He was first appointed in 1964, the year that Taft was annexed into the District and became a water customer.  Miller became board president in 1974, taking the place of W.A. Edwards of Ingleside who helped establish the District in 1951 and had been the only president of the board.

Miller, a farmer and accountant, was hired as the Water District assistant manager in 1971, a move by the board prompted by Mr. Edwards' failing health.  Miller was appointed District general manager in 1974, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.

Edwards and Miller each served as both general manager and president of the board. This tradition ended in 1990 when Jim Naismith became general manager and Gene Dressen was elected president of the board.

During the time Miller was on the Board of Directors the District built the 36-inch water line that delivers water from the Nueces River and completed the District’s first water treatment plant at the treatment complex located between Gregory and Ingleside.  While he was manager the District acquired the 24-inch treated water line originally built by Reynolds Metals, built a three million gallon storage tank and extended service to new industrial customers on the La Quinta Ship Channel.

Miller was a 1940 graduate of Baylor University and served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he attained the rank of captain serving in the Pacific theater.  Miller and his wife Lorena moved from Taft to Portland after his retirement.  He served as president of the Kiwanis Club and was a supporter of many San Patricio County community activities.

He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Donna Sue Nidy of Dutton, Alabama; his sons, Jimmy Miller of Portland and Bill Miller of New Braunfels; and two grandchildren.

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PRESIDENTS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
W. A. Edwards (1951-1974)
W. D. Miller (1974-1990)
Gene Dressen (1990-2004)
Billie Jo Tennill (2004 to present)