Willis Dance Miller, November 17, 1947-December 20, 1960

Miller close up
Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in., by Hugo Stevens, 1959/1960
Location: courtroom, right

Born January 30, 1893 in Powhatan, Virginia
Died December 20, 1960 in Richmond, Virginia

Appointed by Governor William M. Tuck on October 17, 1947 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Henry W. Holt and began his service on November 17, 1947. Elected by the General Assembly on January 23, 1948 to complete the unexpired term of Justice Holt. Elected on February 26, 1954 to a regular 12-year term beginning February 1, 1955. Service terminated by retirement.

Education:
Attended Richmond College
Attended Washington and Lee University, 1911-1912
University of Richmond, LL. B., 1914

Other judicial service:
Judge, Richmond Law and Equity Court, 1936-1947

Professional career:
Private practice of law in Richmond, Virginia, 1914-1935
Assistant commonwealth’s attorney, City of Richmond, 1925-1936

Military service:
World War I (Army)


Sources:
Appointed, “Judge Miller Named by Tuck to Virginia Court of Appeals,” The Washington Post (1923-1954) [Washington, D.C.], October 18, 1947: 9; qualified, 186 Va., iii; elected, Journal of the Senate of Virginia, 1948 Session, 80; elected to a regular 12-year term, Journal of the Senate of Virginia, 1952 Extra Session, 150; education, Washington and Lee University Alumni Directory, 1749-1970; biography, including law degree and retirement, transcript of memorial on April 17, 1961, published in 202 Va., cliii-clxii; portrait, Ray O. Hummel, Jr., and Katherine M. Smith, Portraits and Statuary of Virginians Owned by the Virginia State Library, the Medical College of Virginia, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and Other State Agencies (Richmond, Va.: The Virginia State Library, 1977), 81; date of portrait, portrait committee report, Proceedings of the Seventieth Annual Meeting of the Virginia State Bar Association, August 1960 (Richmond: Keel-Williams Corporation, Printers, 1960), 69.