"So sorry to learn that Charlie has passed. He was a wonderful person and wonderful friend. My best wishes to his friends and family."
In loving memory of
Charles Len Miller
Charles, 62, of Phoenix, Arizona, died August 10, 2017, after an extended illness, at Hospice of the Valley located at Ryan House, in Phoenix.
He was born August 11, 1954, in McPherson, Kansas, to Lenard LaVern and Myrtle Charlene Bell Miller. Charles had three younger sisters: Theresa, Cyndi, and Meri. Charles was a 1972 graduate of Waconda East High School in Cawker City, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University and University of New Mexico.
He resided 21 years in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was a certified picture framer and was owner/operator of the former Anasazi Aray Framing in Santa Fe. While living there, he met Shane Guilliams. They resided together for 25 years in the cities of Santa Fe; Rolla, Missouri; and Phoenix. They married in 2015 at their vacation home in Prescott, Arizona.
Charles was an ardent fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball team as a 10-year season ticket holder, and was a staunch supporter of K-State Athletics. He was an avid collector and decorator. Charles's interests spanned the spectrum. He enjoyed hot-air ballooning, league bowling, camping, boating, traveling, cooking, decorating for and celebrating holidays, and listening to multiple genres of music. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Manhattan, Kansas.
Loving survivors include his partner and husband of 25 years, W. Shane Guilliams and beloved Westie companion, Cygna (Seenie) of Phoenix and San Diego, California; his sister, Meri Lynn Miller-Kahle and husband Rick A. Kahle of Roeland Park, Kansas; and a niece, Kyndra Belle Kahle, also of Roeland Park; maternal aunts, Ginger (Frank) Black of Denver, Colorado; Carle Bell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Marilyn Bell of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; and many cousins, among them Doug Kimball of Phoenix. Additionally, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Ruth (the late Walter) Guilliams of Jackson, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Greg (Michelle) Guilliams of Freeport, Illinois, Rick (Christi) Guilliams of Jackson, Missouri, Roger (Libby) Guilliams of Whitewater, Missouri, and Jeff Powell and his partner Randy Erickson of Manhattan, Kansas; and four dear friends, Dan Costello, Bob Miller, Bill Peterson and Steve Schoen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Theresa Marie in 1956; a young sister, Cyndi Ann in 1961; many aunts and uncles; his father-in-law, Walter Guilliams; and brother-in-law, Jeff Guilliams.
A Memorial Visitation will be Friday, August 18, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. to service time, at First Christian Church in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., at the church, with the Rev. Tom Walters officiating. Charles will be privately interred next to his parents and sisters at Highland Cemetery in Medicine Lodge.
Charles received wonderful care at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix and Hospice of the Valley at Ryan House in Phoenix. Therefore, in lieu of flowers and plants, the family appreciates memorials to Mayo Clinic Hospital, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 (please denote Phoenix Clinic, AND "In Memory of Charles Miller"); OR Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 (please notate "In Memory of Charles Miller").
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting hansenmortuary.com or mccombsfuneralhome.com.
Tributes
"I am very sad for your loss. I remember Charlie from Ric's Cafe era in Manhattan. We share deep appreciation of music. I was fortunate to have visited for a few days in Sante Fe when he had the Great Gray Poodle named Deco. RIP Charlie."
"Dear Shane and family, my deepest condolence from me, my sister Nancy and my son Phil, upon hearing of Charles passing.....I have been away the entire month of August and recently learned of this. Your arrival to Regency on Central and becoming friends and third floor mates has been nice and learning of being fellow K-Staters, and family near Medicine Lodge, Kansas brought our bond quickly together ! We all will miss Charles, and send our heartfelt sympathies to you, Shane, and all his loved ones that remain. I will be personally in touch with you upon my return....warmly, Ron Jones"
"Dear Shane, We were shocked as we received this message. And in this time of sadness our thoughts are with you and your family. We are thinking to the common experiences in Balloning in Albuquerque, Borken/Germany and Isle of Mallorca/Spain. The trips to/in Aachen, Monschau and Maastricht as well as Amsterdam; Cologne 2 years ago as you cruised onto the Rhine-River in Germany. Wir sind sehr traurig über den Verlust eines guten Freundes. Wolfgang and Margit Germany"
"I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ruth Aron"
"The Regency In Central residents and staff would like to express our deepest sympathy for the loss of Charles. We hope that your wonderful memories of him will bring you comfort and peace during this difficult time. Charles will be very missed here at the building. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. With love and peace, Your ROC Family"
"Our hearts go out to you, and we embrace you with our love. May wonderful memories comfort you, bring you peace, and soften your sadness. "
"Dear Shane, We would like to express our sympathy to you and your family for the loss of Charles. His passing was so unexpected because we thought he was healing. We enjoyed the years when we lived on Mt. Vernon with you and Charles as neighbors. We appreciate how kind, generous and friendly you both were to us. Charles will be sorely missed. Shane, our hearts go out to you and we pray you will be comforted in your loss."
"Shane..... We love you and Charles. L & Mj"
"Shane,Meri and family In this time of sadness my thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember the great times we had in high school. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rick Kohn"
"Shane, Meri and family, You are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. May you find consolation in the love and special memories shared with Charles. I recall with fond memories our time together from Nursery School through high school !"
"Shane, much love and prayers continue for you. I love you and Charles and will always have special memories of the love you two share. He will always be with you. your friend always Ruth"
"Shane - I can't begin to understand what you are going through and am deeply saddened by your loss. I can only hope your memories bring you peace and comfort. You are in my thoughts and prayers my friend."
"Remembering a wonderful and gentle soul who will forever remain in my heart. Charles , Shane and I have remained friends over many years after having met while living in Rolla Missouri. We met during the time that his partner Shane and I worked together at Kraft Foodservice. Rest in peace Charles , we love you much."
"Shane: Connie and I want to extend our thoughts and prayers for you at this time. We know that Charles and you had a special relationship and for 25 years you were there for each other. Now is a time where you can reach out to your family and friends for their support and love. May God comfort you and give you a since of peace as you know that Charles is not suffering. We just want you to know that we love you and extend our sympathy."
"Shane, My deepest sympathies. May the loving memories you shared with Charles, wrap you as a cloak and give you comfort as you mourn your loss. Prayers are with you my friend."
"Shane and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Charles passing. My heart aches for you all. May Charles rest in peace and always be with you through all the great memories you have. I'll be holding you close in my thoughts and wish you peace and healing during this time. Love and hugs, Theresa"