Last Updated on January 7, 2023 7:18 pm
Buzzy Miller, the former owner of a long-time Boone based car dealership, has passed away.
Herbert Pinkney Miller, III, (Buzzy) 83, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, December 22, 2022, according to his obituary from Hampton Funeral Home.
He owned B. Miller Ford, Lincoln, Mercury – which was awarded the best new building in Boone and was also awarded the coveted 5 Star Award by Ford Motor Company.
His community service and involvement included: Member of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, President of The Boone Sunrise Rotary Club, President of Watauga County United Way and on the board of the Blowing Rock Community Foundation.
He was also recognized by organizations such as Appalachian State University, The Oasis Shriners, The Salvation Army and Watauga County Schools.
Funeral services were held on Friday.
Obituary courtesy of Hampton Funeral Home
Herbert Pinkney Miller, III, (Buzzy) 83, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, December 22, 2022.
Born January 10, 1939, in Asheville, NC, he was the son of the late Herbert “Hub” Pinkney Miller, Jr. and Lily Wingo Jones Miller. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, Brandon Fletcher Miller.
Buzzy leaves behind his family he loved very much, his wife of 53 years, Suzanne Hamilton Stedman Miller, his son, Asheley Duvall Miller of Blowing Rock, NC; their daughters, Kristin M. Merrill and her husband Brian of Nashville, TN; Alice Hadley Kaney of Charlotte, NC; Shelby Stedman Ott of Charlotte, NC; six grandchildren Davis, Walker, Clayton, Jones, Caroline and Sara Pinkney; brothers, James “Hezzy” Halyburton (Sharon) Miller and Jon Fletcher (Kim) Miller both of Asheville, NC; nephew, Ryan Miller and nieces Eryn Miller(son Asher) and Katie Miller of Asheville, NC; niece, Meredith Austin (Brother) and sons Carter and Austin Rutter of Virginia Beach, VA; and his beloved puppy, Muffie, spelled with an i e !
From an early age Buzzy was a lover of all sports. He graduated from Lee H. Edwards High School in 1957 where he lettered in baseball and football. He received several awards during his four years: The Bobby Owen Memorial Award for an outstanding scholar athlete, The Thom McAn Trophy most valuable player in Asheville. He was selected to the All-Western NC Football Team as an offensive guard and defensive linebacker. He was then named to the All-State team his senior year.
Buzzy continued his education at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he graduated in 1961. He was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Buzzy began his career with Ford Motor Company in Charlotte, NC. It is in Charlotte where Buzzy, president of The Bachelor’s Club, met his wife Suzanne Hamilton Stedman, president of The Spinster's Club. Buzzy and Suzanne were married on July 27, 1968, and enjoyed a wonderful life together as they raised their family in Charlotte, NC – Grosse Pointe, MI – Mt. Lebanon, PA – then, settling in Blowing Rock, NC. Buzzy advanced with Ford Motor Company eventually opening his own dealership, B. Miller Ford, Lincoln, Mercury in Boone, NC. His newly built dealership was awarded the best new building in Boone, NC and the dealership was also awarded the coveted 5 Star Award by Ford Motor Company.
Buzzy was dedicated to his community through service and involvement. He was a member of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church. Buzzy’s interests included community involvement. He was president of The Boone Sunrise Rotary Club and awarded The Paul Harris Award. He was president of Watauga County United Way, and on the board of the Blowing Rock Community Foundation. His love of golf and community service came together when he donated a Mustang convertible to The Foundation’s annual charity golf tournament for a hole in one. A lucky winner drove off with a great big smile! With his commitment to making his hometown a better place, he was recognized by organizations such as Appalachian State University, The Oasis Shriners, The Salvation Army and Watauga County Schools.
The outdoors brought much joy to Buzzy. He enjoyed skiing, golf, tennis, being on the beach and working in the yard. He was a member of Blowing Rock Country Club, Myers Park Country Club, and DeBordieu Country Club. He and Suzanne had the best times spending evenings with friends on the dance floor!
Sporting events were another favorite, especially college football season. Buzzy and Suzanne attended all the Carolina home football games to cheer on his Tar Heels! They had many weekends shared with friends, old and new, and family at The Carolina Inn. His intellect and wit was appreciated by all who knew him.
The Miller family wishes to express utmost gratitude to everyone who cared for and loved Buzzy during his journey with Parkinson’s Disease. True to his spirit he was positive, tenacious and brave, and remained positive with the support of his wife and his physical therapists and professional medical teams.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 6, 2022, in St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, Blowing Rock, NC with Father Andrew Hege, officiating.
A reception will be held in the church Parish Hall after the service.
Contributions in his memory may be made to: St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, Blowing Rock Community Foundation, or Watauga Humane Society or the charity of your choice.
Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of arrangements.
