Blue Mound firefighter, Bill Miller lost his life during a training exercise held near Boody, Illinois on October 13th, 2008.Â
A memorial fund has been set up for William Miller at State Bank of Blue Mound. The bank address is:
State Bank of Blue Mound
PO Box 200
Blue Mound, IL 62513
checks can be made payable to William or Billy Miller Memorial Fund.
Visitation and Services information:
- October 16th - Visitation at Miller Funeral Home in Ramsey, IL from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- October 17th - Memorial Service at First Baptist Church in Ramsey, IL at 10:00 a.m.
- October 18th - Memorial at Dawson and Wikoff Funeral home in Blue Mound from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Service held at 6:00 p.m.Â
Click below to send your thoughts and prayers to the family and fire department during this tragic time.
Here are some of the viewer submitted prayers and thoughts for the family and firefighters:
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"My heart goes out to both the family and co-workers of the firefighter. A very sad day for all of you," - Fran Morris - Cerro Gordo                                                           Â
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"Eastchester Fire District located in Eastchester,NY sends out condolences to the family of Bill Miller," - Bob Mason - EFD, New York
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"Dear Meredith and Diane -- my heart aches so for you and your family. There are absolutely no words to express how deeply sorry we are. Billy was a very special young man. We adored him so very much," -Â Dennis and Deb Kraft - Decatur
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"My family' thoughts and prayers' are with the firefighters and Billy's family. He was always very nice and polite on the street and in public. I do not know why the GOOD always have to leave us so soon," - Renee Askew - Blue Mound
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"Dear Miller family, our thoughts and prayers are with you," - Delores & Bill Carls - Blue Mound
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"Our thoughts and prayers will be with the family and fellow firefighters through this tough time," - Stephanie Alexander - Dalton City
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"We're still in shock to hear the news of Billy. There are no words that can comfort anybody right now, just know that his family and the Fire Department are in our thoughts and prayers. Billy was a wonderful guy and will be greatly missed," - Amanda and Dennis Wilson - Blue Mound
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"Our thought and prayers go out to the Miller family and Blue Mound Fire Dept, during this trying time," -Â Tony Zieser - Asst. Fire Chief, Ryan Fire Dept. - Ryan, Iowa
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"To the Miller family and co-workers, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jon Nave would like to let Heath know he is here for him as well," - Sheila Reed - DecaturÂ
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"From the Fisher Family At Oreana We want to Tell You How Sorry We Are To Hear Of This Fallin Hero Please Know You All Will Be In Our Prayers As You Take This Turn In Your Life. Stay Close To God At This Time..," - Janice Fisher - Oreana
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"My thoughts and prayers are with Bill, his family, and his department. May God watch over all of you," - Chief Steve Wilder - Bradley
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"As a member of the Pana Fire Dept., my family and I would like to send our sincere sympathy to the Miller family and the Blue Mound Fire Dept. You are ALL in our prayers and thoughts! May God touch each and everyone of you in your time of sorrow,"- Mike Suter - Pana
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Family and Brother and Sister Firefighters of Blue Mound FD. Minneola Professional Firefighters Local 4638," - James Simon - Hernando, FL
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"I am a volunteer firefighter also for Lincoln Rural Fire and my heart and prayers go out to the firefighters family and to his fellow brothers at the fire house. God bless all of you," - Michael Stonecipher - Lincoln
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"Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the fire department," - Robin Cline - DecaturÂ
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Dear Friends In Christ,
"Billy was a member of my youth group led by Rita Briggs several years ago at the Nazarene Church in Stonington when I was around 15-years-old. He was always the quiet, nice, super sweet guy that we all knew and loved. I haven't seen or talked to him in years, and he may not have even remembered me, but he dated a friend Holly Panchot, that was also in the group, and I remember all of our times well.
God Bless your family at this time, we all lost someone that no one could ever say anything bad about and that was Billy," - Ashley Day (Smith) & family - Maroa
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"We of the Twin Lakes Volunteer Fire Dept.offer our dondolences, we too have lost a member of our department to. Know that Bill is with God, May the lord be with you today and all the day  to come," - Bill Medina, Twin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, Crescent, OK
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this sad time," -Â Joi and Kyle Eddy - Ramsey
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"Miller Family, My name is Cheyenne Allgood I used to be a full-time resident of Blue Mound and on behalf of the Port Isabel Junior High Chapter of National Junior Honor Society we offer our condolences, and our thoughts and prayers," - Cheyenne Allgood - Laguna Vista, Texas
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"I knew Billy from high school and played football with him. He was a year older than I. Billy was one of the nices and most genuine people i have ever met, he had a heart of gold and would do anything he could to help his fellow man. The world truly lost a great person. May god be with Billy's family and friends in this tough time. Love ya bill, God Bless!!!!"- Patrick Smith -Â Decatur
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"Having been a firefighter on the Blue Mound Fire Department in the past, I know the close bond that is shared by fellow firefighters. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Bill's family as well as his extended family on the fire department," - Beth Edwards -Â Blue MoundÂ
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"On behalf of the volunteer fire companies of five New Jersey counties, the North Jersey Volunteer Firemen's Associaton extends its condolences and sympathies to the family, fellow firefighters and friends of Bill Miller and the Blue Mound Fire Department," - Richard Dean - Butler, New Jersey
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"As a member of the fire comunity I, as well as the Cabery Area Fire Protection District, would like to offer our heart-felt condolences," - Steven Pepin - Cabery, IL
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family and the Blue Mound Fire Dept.May GOD bless each and every one of you," - Tower Hill Fire District
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"To all the firefighters, family and friends the firefighters and district here in Sibley, IL send to you our deepest simpathy's. our thought's and prayers are with you all in this very hard time," -Randy Meyer, Chief Sibley Fire Department
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"I was in such shock when I found out what has happened to a great guy. He was friendly to everyone. I still cant believe that this has happen. My thoughts and Prayers are with his family, friends, and the Fire Department. Billy was a outstanding person and will be greatly missed!," - Christina Suddarth - Gallatin, Tennessee
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"I am sorry for your loss, everyone is in my thoughts and prayers, Bill was a good kid and a hard worker whenever he worked for us at the country club," - Brad McLaughlin - Decatur
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"As a former Blue Mound firefighter I want to send my deepest sympathies to the firefighters, and to the Miller family, I am very sorry for your loss. Everyone at the Moweaqua Fire Dept. also sends their respects for Bill," - Mitch Hartman - Mowequa
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"It's True About What They Say "Only The Good Die Young" I didn't personally know Billy but what I have heard about him as been nothing but good stuff i'm sorry about your loss," - Amber McEllis - Taylorville
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"Billy will be miss alot all over the U.S., he was a good fireman and help everybody out of things my heart goes out to the family and Blue Mound Fire Department," - Kerrie Ward - DecaturÂ
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"Meredith & family you are forever in our thoughts and prayers we are for you in whatever you may need just like your family has always been there for us, Billy was a great guy and it was a joy watching him grow up and become the man who was so giving and helpful (just like his dad). We will miss him Meredith if you need anytjhing just let us know, take care and god bless your family in this time of sadness love you all," - Jay, Becky and Ian Logan - Chatham
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"Our hearts go out to the family, friends and fellow Firefighters at this tragic time. As a former Blue Mound Volunteer Firefighter I know the close nit group that you are. This is a terrible tragedy to the family, members of the department and the community. Stay strong and remember that all of you are in the thoughts and prayers of Firefighters throughout this country," -Â Captain Todd McKenzie, Decatur Fire Department Local 505
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"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Billy's family and fellow fire fighters," -Â From the volunteers at Atwood Fire Department
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"With Deepest Sympathy sent to the Miller family and Blue Mound Fire Department, my son (Chuck) is a firefighting brother of Billy's from South Macon Fire Department and I know that from the stories he has spoken to me of working beside the BMFD, Billy will definitely be sadly missed, but never forgotten.You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless each and everyone of you," - Karen Dunmire - Mowequa
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"I was a member of the Blue Mound Fire Dept. for 2 great years. I have never met someone with as much passion for the work as Billy. He was one of the guys I tried to visit when I came back home. He will be greatly missed," - Bryce Johnson - Ottawa, IL
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"To the family of BILL MILLER . I am gratefull that I had the time I had to get to know him,he made me a better person. There will never be one like him. I WILL MISS YOU," - Brian Sunderland - Assumption
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"We are so deeply sorry to learn of Bills death. Far to often do our earthly plans seem to get in the way of a "larger" plan. The young are so very difficult to digest, yet, what a champion the maker has now called home. Our most sinsere condolences to the family, friends and comrades of young Bill. If anything at all possible that we can do to help, please let us know," - Love, Prayers and thoughts from the Mt. Zion Fire Protection District
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"The Pana Fire Department extends it's condolences to the family of Bill Miller. We are stunned at the news of firefighter Miller's death and are reminded once again that the fire service at any level is not without risk. Our thoughts and prayers extend to the Blue Mound Fire Dept. at this time. Firefighter Miller's service and example to your community will not be forgotten," - Chief Rod Bland, Pana Fire Dept.
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"Mr. and Mrs. Miller, you have our deepest simpathies for your loss. Billy is a wonderful young man that I will always remember fondly. Even in the short time he was with us he made a profound impression on me and the people around him. I will never forget his eyes looking up at me during football practice, he was always very polite and an absolute joy to coach. I was always so happy when he came down to JFL to help coach after he went to high school. This loss to your family is also one to us. He is a very special young man that we will all miss greatly. God bless your family during this time of loss," - Mr. & Mrs. Jack Wilson (Coach Wilson) - Macon
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"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Billy Miller and to his Department," - Fred Manuel - Illiopolis
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The thoughts and prayers of the Atlanta Fire Department are with the family and department at this time of your loss," - Atlanta Fire Department - Atlanta, IL
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"As a volunteer firefighter with Fort Allen VFC in Hempfield Township PA, my brothers/sisters and I would like to send our sincere sympathy to the Miller family and our brothers at the Blue Mound Fire Dept. You are all in our thoughts and prayers!," - Todd Brinton - Greensburg, PA
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"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Billy Miller. The Blue Mound Fire Department and the entire community is in our prayers," -Â Sincerely, The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency - Shelbyville
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"My condolences go to the family of this young man who lost his life at such a young age, having a family member my self on the Warrensburg Fire Department makes me realize how brave these guys really are and how they fight every day to save someone elses life - DEEPEST DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY," - Lori Klink - Bloomington
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"Our family would like to express our thoughts and prayers to Meridith, Diane, and the family, also to the Blue Mound Fire Dept.. Billy was a very loved cousin and was not only our cousin but a brother to my husband and I.We serve as fire personal with the Tower Hill Fire Prot. Dist..I know we can express deep sadness to loss of a great young man and family member," - The Kay family, Randy, Stacey, and family - Tower Hill
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"My deepest condolences to the Miller family and his brothers and sister on the Blue Mound Fire dept.My kids go to Meridian so I know how tight both communities are. My thought and prayers for all of you. The Jenkins and Hickey family - Decatur
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"My condolences to the William Miller family and to the Blue Mound Fire Department on your tragic loss," -Â KFD 6 Lt Rod Morse Kenney Fire Dept - Kenney
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"On behalf of our fire dept we would like to say sorry for you lost, and that you may find comfort knowing bill was doing a job he loved," - Marco Isome, Tri-Twp Fire Dept., Saint Charles, MI
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"I am so sorry for the loss of Billy. My prayers are with his family and the whole community," - Connie Denmark - St. Joseph, IL
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"On behalf of the Assumption Fire Protection District, we send our condolences to the family and the Blue Mound Fire Department. We will be praying for you and also for Bill," - Mike McClain - Assumption
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"To Meredith, Diane I am so sorry to hear of your loss Billy was a great kid and will be greatly missed if their is anything you need please let us know," - Mike, Heather (Snearly) and Dillon - Macon
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"Billy was a great person its hard to see him go so soon, my thoughts and prayers go towards the Miller family," - Donavon Cope - Blue MoundÂ
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"Our condolences to the Miller family from the Rochester Fire Protection District," - Rochester Fire Protection District - Rochester, IL
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Miller Family and Firefighters,
"We want to express our heartfelt sorrow at your loss. It's never easy to have to deal with a loss, but you know, rest assured, he was doing something he enjoyed and took pride in. It takes a special kind of person to volunteer time to help people and get training to be able to better assist people and you know that he was just that kind of person. My heart goes out to all in Billys family and the fellow firefighters who had that bond that volunteer firefighters have with each other," - Angie Hamm - Blue Mound
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"As a volunteer Firefighter with the Jackson Mills Fire Company in Jackson, NJ our thoughts and prays are with his fellow brothers and sisters and also his family," - Steven Anderson - Jackson, New Jersey
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"Our condolences go out to the Blue Mound Fire Department and all of Bill's family and friends. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers," - Chief Randy Clark, Colfax Fire Department - Colfax, IL
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"Our Prayers and deepest sympathy go out to Meredith, Diane, and the family, and to the Blue Mound Fire Dept. It is so hard to lose a young man who cared enough to volunteer to protect his neighbors and community. To quote the tee shirt "All men are created equal, and then a few become firefighters." May God bless you in your time of loss," - Chief Norman Wilson, Herrick Fire Protection District - Herrick, ILÂ
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"All of us at Taylorville Fire Department are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Firefighter Miller. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and all of the Firefighters," - Chief Jeff Hackney, Taylorville Fire Department - Taylorville
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"To the Miller family and the Blue Mound FD, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless you all," - Ryan Clark - Blue Mound
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"My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss," - Nathan Monney, Argenta-Oreana Fire Department - Oreana
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"All of us at the Warrensburg Fire Department are deeply saddened by the loss of Firefighter Miller. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the brothers and sisters at BMFD as well as to the entire Miller family. If there is anything at all we can do to help you during these tough times please let us know," -Â From the Warrensburg Fire Protection District
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"On behalf of the Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department, I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow firefighters of Bill Miller. You are in our prayers," - Bill Fulk, Grinnell VFD Grinnell - Grinnell, IA
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"The family of Billy and the Blue Mound Fire Department is in our thoughts and prayers from all of us here at the Montrose Fire Protection District. May god bless all of you in these trying times," - Chief Chris Overbeck, Montrose Fire Department - Montrose, ILÂ
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"The Athens Volunteer Fire Department sends our prayers and condolences to The Miller Family and The Blue Mound Fire Department during this very difficult time," - Bob Dowell - Athens, IL
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,friends,and fellow firefighters of Billy Miller," -Â From all of us at Cisco Fire Dept. - Cisco, IL
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"The members of the Argenta-Oreana Fire Department wish to send our thoughts and prayers to firefighter Miller's Family and also to the members of the Blue Mound Fire Department. We are very sorry for your loss," - Fire Chief Cory White, Argenta-Oreana Fire Department
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"We are so sorry for your loss. Losing a brother is losing family and we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers," - Brian Boeseneilers - Woodbury, MN
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"Words can not express the sorrow that St. Elmo Fire Dept. is feeling for the family of Bill Miller and the members of Blue Mound Fire Dept. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you," -Â Bryan Jennings, SEFD
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"Meredith, Diane, Carl, Heath & Bree, no words can express how your feeling and nothing can take away the hurt. You guys were there for my family a year ago when my mom passed and my family is here for you now. Take comfort in knowing Billy died doing something he loved. He was a very generous and compassionate young man who loved his family and friends. You raised him to be a true gentleman and he was well thought of throughout the community. His giving spirit will be his legacy and that is something to be very proud of. May you find peace in knowing he has touched so many lives in such a small amount of time. My thoughts & prayers are with all of his fellow firefighters as well as the family," - Mindy Damery - Blue Mound
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family and our fellow brothers and sisters at the Blue Mound FPD. The loss of firefighter Miller will leave a physical void in the fire department and your lives; however he will always be remembered in your thoughts and hearts forever, until you are reunited in the future," - The members of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Pulaski Illinois
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"I'm very sorry for your loss. My brother was killed earlier this year when the waterway seperated from our ladder truck and struck him. It's a tremendous loss when one of our hero's doesn't come home. No one knows why the Lord chooses to take the fine young men he does, but I'm sure He has His purposes. There's little comfort in your time of grief, but know Fire Departments across the nation mourn the loss of your loved one because he is one of us and will always be with us," - Jim Crotty - Erie, PA
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family," - Nathaniel Stykes - Porterdale, GA
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"Words can never fully describe all that Billy meant to us, or how much we love him. To say he was "like a son" to Gary and I, or "like a brother" to Nick (and Steve) still underestimates the depth of love we had for him. Our hearts are so very broken for you. All we can believe is that God had a higher purpose for this incredible young man, who was one of kindest, most selfless people I know we'll ever meet. We are so heavy-hearted, and yet so very thankful to have had the priviledge to have Billy in our lives for as long as we did. He will forever live in our hearts and our memories," -Â With much, much love - Rita Briggs and all The Briggs Family - Decatur
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"Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Billy was a good man and a good firefighter. He will be missed by all of us. Also to the brothers and sisters of Blue Mound FD that has lost a trusted member and brother, our prayers are with you all," -Â Clay McCall, Niantic Fire Department - Niantic, IL
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"God Bless FF Millers family and his Department," - Ernest Mitchell - Greenwood, LA
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"Sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family and firefighters of Blue Mound. Firefighters are such a dedicated and close knit group. I am sure he will be missed," -Rick Arthur, past Trustee and Firefighter of the Mt.Zion Fire Protection District
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"Meredith and Diane, Words can't express how badly I feel for you. Please find comfort in knowing others care and are thinking of you.," - Michelle (Moreland) Borntreger - Auburn,IL
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"To a fallen brother. My thoughts and prayer are with your family and your department. Gone but not forgotten," - Josh Gasparini, Middletown Volunteer Fire Protection District - Middletown,IL
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"Our condolences to the Miller family, Heath you hang in there," -Â Coach Smith and family, Macon, IL
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"Our prayers and thoughts are with his family we were saddened by the news," - Sarah Renn - Decatur
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"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of Fire Fighter Miller and our brothers and sisters of the Blue Mound Fire Department," - Jeremy Dunlap & Monticello Fire&Rescue - Monticello,IL
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"Our condolences to the Miller family and Blue Mound Fire Dept. We are extremely sorry to hear of the loss of a fellow firefighter," -Â Volunteer Firemen of Oconee Fire Dept.
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"My thoughts and prayers go out to the miller family at this difficult time may god bless each and everyone of you," - Debbie Herbord - Pana
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