Edward Compton "Ed" Miller, age 97, passed away on May 1st 2020 at home with his family after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born April 29, 1923 in Butte, Montana to T. K. (Theodore Keith) Miller and Elsie Grace (Hounsell) Miller. He attended first grade in Butte before moving to Bozeman in September 1930. He graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1942 and joined the army on January 3, 1943 where he was sent to Army Specialized Training School at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to study engineering. In February 1944 he was transferred to the 69th Infantry Division which became famous for being the first Division to link up with Russian troops at the Elbe River in Germany. During the war he received several medals, most notably the Bronze Star with Valor. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant serving in France, and in combat in both Belgium and Germany. His military service ended upon completing one year with the occupational forces in Germany. After the war Ed enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and graduated in 1949 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Over the next 30 years he worked for the Montana Department of Highways in various capacities, concentrating on the building of the Interstate Highway System in Montana. In 1959 he was chosen to lead the conversion of the Department's engineering and accounting applications to one of the first IBM computers in the State of Montana. He left the State of Montana's employment in 1978 and completed his career with another 11-years working on projects for Morrison-Maierle Consulting Engineers, Stahly Engineers, and finally with Kaiser Engineers. He retired in 1989. He was a member of several organizations including the American Association of State Highway Officials, the Last Chance Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, and the Montana Society of Professional Engineers. He and his wife Margaret were charter members of the Plymouth Congregational Church. Prior to and during his retirement he devoted his time to many projects at the church. In June 1946 while attending college at MSU, Ed took a History of Civilization class and was seated next to Margaret Claire Ragsdale. After introducing himself in class and having a coke after class at the student union building, Ed began courting Margaret. They were married in Columbus, Montana on August 31, 1947. They enjoyed a two-week honeymoon, the first week in Glacier Park and the second week at Ed's family's cabin on the Gallatin River. Ed is survived by his wife of 73 years Margaret, and sons Thomas Keith Miller of Helena, James Edward and Helen Ashley (Richardson) Miller of Castle Rock, Colorado; and grandchildren Emily Jarratt Miller of Denver, Colorado, Amanda Claire Miller of Denver, Colorado, and Weston James Miller of Boulder, Colorado. Their oldest child Deborah Jean (Miller) Rich, married to William­­ Lee Rich of Helena, died on October 7, 2018. Ed was grateful that his granddaughter Mariah Natasha Rich of Helena provided many years of loving care for Ed at his home during his battle with cancer. Ed and his family also wish to convey their appreciation to several Home Health Care attendants that helped him during his struggle. Ed was a passionate outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, backpacking and horses throughout his life. He looked forward to summer backpacking trips with church youth groups into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. In retirement he enjoyed traveling with Margaret in Europe and throughout the US where they spent many winters in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Beginning in 1999 they started traveling to their son's home in California to spend winters with their grandchildren until their relocation to Colorado. Later in retirement he pursued woodworking in his shop, making bowls, plates and other items for many friends and family. A celebration of Ed's life will be held in Helena once social distancing restrictions have been eased. The family respectfully requests any donations in memory of Ed be made to the Plymouth Congregational Church located at 400 South Oakes Street in Helena, Montana.Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.