1928 – 2015

WILTON — Alton Colby Miller, 86, of Wilton, passed away Friday, Jan. 16, from complications of a stroke suffered in December. He was surrounded by his wife, Earlene, daughter, Janey, and grandson, Colby.

Alton was born on the family farm on April 13, 1928, a son of Colby and Esther (Knowles) Miller. He graduated from Wilton Academy in 1946 and worked on the family farm until 1948 when he joined the U.S. Army. Alton made a career in the Army, working for more than 24 years and serving two tours in Vietnam. Upon his retirement in 1972, he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for Pratts Inc. and Murray Equipment. He also worked for Forster Manufacturing, retiring in June of 1992.

Alton was a good-natured man who loved being in the woods of Maine. He enjoyed trapping, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He especially enjoyed afternoon rides on his four-wheeler with his beloved “baby puppy’” Pebbles. Alton was a talented woodworker and could fix anything. He was a member of the Maine Trappers, Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine and the American Tree Farm System.

Alton is survived by his wife of 34 years, Earlene, of Wilton; children, Gilbert Miller and his wife, Kim, of Wilton, David Miller of Wilton, Sylvia Miller of Tennessee, Marian Mims of Texas, and Janey Ross and her husband, Bennett of Etna; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-granchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a special cousin, Pearl Farren.

He was predeceased by a son, Colby Miller; brothers, Earl, Paul and Herbert Miller; a sister, Virginia Richards; and granddaughters, Melissa Platt and Olivia Miller.

A special thanks to his daughter Janey Ross and grandson Colby Ross for the care and support they gave Alton as well as to his grandson Jacob Miller for helping take care of things around the house everyday while Alton was ill.

Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.