Pawnee — Billy J. Miller, 87, of Pawnee, Illinois, died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at St. Joseph's Home in Springfield, Illinois. Billy was born Oct. 4, 1929, in Macomb, Illinois, the son of Harold L. and Mable Mercer Miller. He married Delores A. Wilmot in 1949 in Littleton, Illinois. She preceded him in death in November 2000. He later married Zelma F. Richeson in Pawnee in 2002. Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Delores; a son, Michael, in 2014; a daughter, Maryln Jones, in 1983; a brother, John Miller; and a sister, Melba Snyder. Billy graduated from Industry High School in Industry, Illinois, where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football. He was a member of the Rushville United Methodist Church; Pawnee United Methodist Church; Jesus Is The GATE Christian Ministry in Glenarm, Illinois; and Pawnee Christian Church. Billy worked in farming, insurance, was elected sheriff of Schuyler County (Rushville, Illinois) in 1974 and served as chief of police for the Pawnee Police Department from 1979 until his retirement in 1995. He also worked for Bartlow Brothers Packing Co. in Rushville for 10 years and served on the Village of Pawnee's board for 14 years, retiring in 2009. Billy's memberships included the Illinois Sheriffs' Association, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and Pawnee Lions Club. He is survived by his wife, Zelma, of Pawnee; one son, Steven (wife, LuAnne Lewis) Miller, of Glenarm; a daughter-in-law, Betsy Miller, of Decatur, Illinois; and his extended family, George (Carol Ann) Richeson of St. Charles, Illinois, John (Terry) Richeson of Pawnee and Linda (David) Dillow of Pawnee; five grandchildren, Jeremiah (wife, Sarah) Miller, Jaime Miller, David (wife, Samantha) Miller, Bill (wife, Erin) Miller and Lori (husband, Jay) Westra; and several great-grandchildren. Billy's family will meet friends from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Jesus Is The GATE Worship Center, located at 10213 Palm Road in Glenarm, with Pastor Steve Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee. Memorials honoring Billy may be made to Jesus Is The GATE Worship Center or the Pawnee Food Pantry. Curry Funeral Home is serving the family of Billy Miller.