08/27/2026
It is with great sadness we relate that our beloved kiln repairman, Mr. Phillip Miller of Wichita Falls, died on Sunday, August 23 in hospice near Conroe, TX following a very sudden illness. He will be remembered in a service at 2 p.m., Sept. 25 at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Burkburnett.
I always called him Mr. Miller to avoid confusion with my husband, Phil. I first met him in 2004 when Ann Parkey of then Prickly Pear Studio in Archer City referred him as an affordable option. We always disagreed over price , him wanting less money and me wanting to pay more because a ceramicist can't stay in business unless the kilns work. He kept the business going, and taught me so much about kilns. Mr. Miller was the most humble man I have ever worked with, and like a second father. He was a good conversationalist and we would visit about everything from family to cars to modern phones as he tested and repaired relays, elements, firebrick, and outlets.
Mr. Miller was a long time volunteer for the Hotter N Hell Hundred, getting dealers to lend cars and truck for the chase and medical teams to drive during the event. Kiln repair was a way to keep up skills he learned during a long career with ATT downtown Wichita Falls. He and his late wife also ran Clay Cottage Ceramics in the 80s and 90s, and he repaired their kilns.
Goodbye Mr. Miller. Say hello to Jesus for me!
