Miller

Leland H. Miller went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. Leland was born on Feb. 13, 1924 in the Buescher Community north of Columbus to Edwin and Henrietta (Meyer) Miller. His parents were lifetime farmers who raised cotton and other crops in the Cummins Creek bottom land. At Columbus High School, he lettered in football, track, and tennis. After graduation in 1941, he worked for one year in Eagle Lake as a bookkeeper loading railroad cars with  gravel for the war effort. In 1942, he was drafted in the Navy for World War II. Leland was assigned to the new aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid. He was assigned to below deck damage control. The Intrepid was the most frequently hit ship in WWII. Leland survived Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history. This battle led to Japan’s surrender several months later. After the war, Leland went to the University of Texas and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. He spent his career as a consulting engineer in the appraisal of oil and gas properties in the U.S., Canada, and South America. Music was a special part of Leland’s life. He played the cornet in the Columbus High School band. In 1942, he played regularly with the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Band and the Arnold Ilse Orchestra. Leland played trumpet in the Navy Band on the U.S.S. Intrepid and then in the University of Texas Longhorn Band. He played in the SPJST Lodge 88 Czech Concert Orchestra. Leland was an original member of Kovanda’s Czech Band and was the band’s manager for eleven years. This band is respected all over the country for the quality of its Czech music. Leland played fast pitch softball in Houston for 35 years. He was the manager and pitcher of the Gulf Gleam (Gulf Oil) team which won the City of Houston Softball Championship in 1953. He played on the Koenig Instruments team which came within one game of going to the Softball World Series. Leland was the first President of the Fayetteville Community Foundation/Area Heritage Museum from 1990 to 2005. This foundation is dedicated to preserving the history of Fayetteville and acknowledging those individuals who contributed to that history. He was also a charter member of the Fayette County Czech Heritage Society. Leland was a member of both Fayetteville Brethren Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. He served as President of the Board of Elders at Fayetteville Brethren Church for fifteen years. Leland was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Bernice (Elsik) Miller. He is survived by his wife, Doris (Coufal) Miller; daughters, Sheryl Miller of Leakey and Kathy Voshalike and husband Bill of Columbus; stepdaughter, Sherry Fenn of Magnolia; stepson, Tommy Henslee of Fayetteville, step grandchildren, Jason Fenn and wife Jenny of Magnolia; Lyndsay Hopper of McKinney; Erin Henslee of Freeport, Cheyenne Henslee of Houston, step great grandchildren, Adam, Austin and Autumn Fenn, Zane Hopper, and Nicholas Henslee; cousins Garrett Miller and wife Betty, W. J. Litzmann, and Billy Litzmann and numerous friends. Visitation was held Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fayetteville Brethren Church in Fayetteville. Funeral services were scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Fayetteville Brethren Church in Fayetteville. Interment followed in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Fayetteville Brethren Church, P.O. Box 11, Fayetteville, Texas 78940, St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 87, Fayetteville, Texas 78940; Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 32, Fayetteville, Texas 78940; or a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hennekefuneralhome.com. Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus was in charge of arrangements.