Interview with a Centenarian: At 100, My Grandfather Reflects on Life, Faith and Finding Purpose

Oh, to be a centenarian – 100 years of living. It’s simply amazing! Most of us would settle for 80% of that. It’s hard to fathom the changes and life events someone born in 1914 has experienced.

What will you be up to at 100 years of age? My grandfather, as shown in the picture, preached a sermon the day after he turned 100. His challenge to those who listened:

1. Practice Gratitude (be thankful)

2. Express Certitude (in the things of your faith)

3. Develop Fortitude (build the power to endure)

And he played his guitar and sang a short chorus at the end. The song’s message – “Just a little bit longer Lord…just a little bit longer.”

Not a dry eye in the house.

In the weeks leading up to his 100th birthday, my grandfather was kind enough to answer some questions about his life. I’d encourage you to take five minutes to enjoy this thought provoking read about a man who has experienced the Depression, the loss of siblings, financial challenges, joys and regrets and 60+ years of ministry.

Q & A With a Centenarian

1. What is the most amazing thing you have seen in your lifetime? Why did that stand out?

I have seen many changes in my lifetime, but one of the most amazing things to me is the awesomeness of the exploration of outer space and that man actually landed on the moon. I remember watching the television broadcast when Walter Cronkite reported that the astronauts had landed on the moon…it just seemed unbelievable.

A second amazing thing would be the computer and all that is possible with its use. It’s still hard for me to comprehend that you can contact someone by email and all the facts and information that are available on the Internet. I don’t know whether I will use it, but I recently got an email address.

2. How has your daily life/routine changed from the time you were in your 30s and 40s?

The three greatest changes in my daily life/routine are that I am now a widower, my children are grown and I am retired.

My wife Zola and I were blessed with five children. We had 3 daughters and 2 sons, including twins. Our last child was born when I was 42, so you can imagine we were very busy parents.

I didn’t believe that caring for the children was solely the mother’s responsibility, and I tried to help Zola as much as I could. We were a team in so many ways and had a loving and fulfilling marriage of 62 years. It has been a major change to lose my life partner and I miss her.

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I was a pastor of two churches when I was in my 30s and 40s and my days and evenings were often full. When I reflect on my daily life today it is more relaxed, less hurried and I have considerably fewer responsibilities. The pace is much slower.

On one hand I have more freedom. Most days are mine to do with as I choose. I enjoy reading, writing, talking with my sister on the phone and getting together with friends and those from my church for special luncheons.

But there is also less freedom. Giving up driving was very difficult. Now I am dependent on my daughter to take me places. I miss the independence of driving when I want to go somewhere.

3. What made you decide on the profession you chose?

Foremost, I prayed about it! I’ve always had an innate love for the church. When I was 26 my pastor asked me if I had ever thought about the ministry, and I told him yes. While I had held previous jobs, I clearly felt called to become a minister.

Giving in the servant role appealed to me more than getting for personal advantage.

4. Did you have any financial struggles along the way? If so, how did you manage through them? What helped you be financially sound?

Financial struggles? Oh, yes!

In my day, churches were behind in salaries for pastors. There were times when we just had to do without some things.

I was fortunate to have a wife who shared the same belief about not spending above our means. We made a budget and kept within it. It wasn’t easy.

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We always had a large garden and Zola did a lot of canning. Our parishioners would share extra produce from their farms.

I didn’t like credit cards and have never had one.

We were a one income family until Zola went back to college and earned a Master’s Degree in Education when she was 50 years old. She then began teaching as an elementary teacher. Fortunately her salary enabled us to send our children to college.

No matter how much money we had, we always tithed our income (to the local church).

5. What activities have you found most enjoyable through the years?

My younger brother James and I began signing together at a young age. He played the mandolin and I played the guitar. We sang at county fairs, family reunions, community events and even on the radio three times. I can’t tell you how many times we sang together through the years but it was something I always enjoyed.

In 1958 Zola and I, along with our five children, began a family tradition of recording an annual Christmas tape. We sang Christmas carols, read Scripture and everyone would share about the special events in their lives during the past year. When the children got older, one of them would also add a few jokes. We continued to make a family Christmas tape until 2007 when it became impossible for everyone to get together.

Other enjoyable activities were:

Attending family reunions as a boy and, after being married, going to the family reunions on Zola’s side of the family.

Being able to attend the Church of the Brethren annual conferences in the summer.

Composing songs for men’s chorus groups and singing with the group in church.

Watching Indiana University basketball games.

Being a diehard Cubs fan. I have listened to many Cubs games on the radio or television, and I saw my first Cubs game at Wrigley Field in 1930. The last time I was at Wrigley Field was in 2002. If the Cubs are going to win a World Series in my lifetime they better hurry!

6. How do you feel you have made an impact on people?

I hope I have made an impact on people by the Christian life I’ve tried to live. I also hope that my preaching and counseling has helped others.

Music has always been an important part of my life. I have enjoyed playing the guitar and singing and writing songs for men’s chorus groups. People can be reached in different ways. Perhaps a song I have sung or written has made a positive impact on someone.

7. Is there anything you regret or wish you had a chance to change?

Yes! I wish I had married earlier. Both of my parents died at a younger age, and I have thought if I had married earlier perhaps our children would have been old enough to have known their grandparents. They missed having a relationship with grandparents.

However, if I had married earlier, I wouldn’t have met the love of my life, Zola. No doubt it was God’s plan that we were to meet.

I also wish I had started earlier in the pastorate. I was about ten years older than many of my classmates at seminary. While I may have gotten a later start as pastor, God has blessed me with many years of good health and the physical ability to still preach at 100.

Finally, I do wish my wife and I and the children had traveled more. It is so easy when you are younger to think you have plenty of time to do certain things.

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8. Who have been the people who influenced you the most and why?

There have been many people who have influenced me in my lifetime including the pastors and evangelists that I heard preach when I was a child and young man, along with my college and seminary professors. They were so knowledgeable and the enthusiasm they expressed in their preaching and teaching made me want to learn more. I developed a passion for reading and studying that continues to this day.

I would have to say that it was my parents and grandparents who had the most influence on my life. The values and teachings I learned from them clearly helped shape my life.

My parents were strong Christians who lived their faith. They knew great sorrow in their lives, losing 4 or their 7 children. Three did not live beyond the age of 4 and my older brother died of tuberculosis when he was 28. I learned a lot about adversity and how important faith was during times of grief and loss.

My dad had a deformed foot that made walking difficult for him. I never heard him complain or even talk about his disability.

My parents valued honesty and integrity and were hard-working people. I grew up during the Depression, and my parents taught me to appreciate and be grateful for what I had. Throughout my life it has never been material possessions that were the source of my happiness and contentment.

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My mother was only 57 when my dad died, and she worked in the post office and as a clerk in the general store. She also took care of my grandmother in her later years. I lived with my grandparents quite a bit of the time when I was growing up to help them on the farm. Life on the farm helped me appreciate the growing and harvesting of crops and taking care of animals.

Grandpa and grandma were also very committed Christians and faithful in their church attendance. Hard work was no stranger to them. My grandpa was an easy-going man of great patience who seemed to take life in stride. Grandma worked hard in and outside the house. She could handle a team of horses better than grandpa!

9. What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is searching for direction in life?

My advice is to pray for direction and be open to life’s possibilities and where God may lead you. Seek to discover your interests and gifts.

10. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Keep God central!

Love others sincerely!

Keep yourself humble!

Worry less!

Pray and trust more!

[Update: 2/7/2017] Grandpa is still going strong. Today he preached again in front of a full chapel at the retirement community where he lives – just a week shy of his 104th birthday! He continues to inspire not only our family but those who hear him speak.

[Final Update: 2/10/2020] Byron Miller passed away on Feb. 5, 2020 after suffering a fall and breaking his hip. Age – 105, just two weeks shy of being 106. From what I understand, he had one more sermon ready to preach on his birthday. What a legacy he leaves – a testimony of faith, endurance and kindness like no one else I’ve known. My mind cannot fathom the reach of his ministry and the number of lives he touched over his nearly 65 years of ministry. Heaven and earth are both better places because of his life.

Leave a Comment or Answer a Question Below: Do you know a centenarian? What’s the big legacy you want to leave behind? How are you living today to make that happen? What would you hope to accomplish if you were granted 100 years of life? Anything from this interview stand out or speak to you?

Image by Luke1428.com