WALDOBORO - Ronald S. Miller Sr., 69, of Waldoboro, passed away on Nov. 19, 2016, peacefully at home, with family by his side. He was born May 29, 1947, in Rockland, to Conrad and Lilla (Johnson) Miller.

He grew up in Waldoboro, attended Waldoboro schools and graduated from Waldoboro High School in 1965. As a young man he worked for Morse's Sauerkraut in Waldoboro and Pierce Upholstery in Portland for two years. He entered the service in 1967. He went to Great Lakes, Ill., was two years active duty, then went to Gulfport, Miss. He served in Vietnam and was in the SEABEES for 18 months. He came home and worked for Morse's again, and also the Waldoboro Button Factory. He then started working for Reed & Reed Construction as a laborer. In February 1971 he completed on-the-job training to become a crane operator. He worked as a crane operator for 40 years building bridges, piers, parking garages and foot bridges all over the state. He also helped erect windmills. He was well respected as the best crane operator in the state, also known as "The King."

Ron enjoyed gardening, feeding wild ducks in the backyard, cutting wood, using his tractor, 4-wheeling with his wife and joy-riding in his truck. For many years he faithfully attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and was very proud of his 18-1/2 years of sobriety. He was a long-time member of the American Legion.

In addition to his wife, Kathy; survivors include his children and their spouses, his daughter, Heather and her husband, Peter Emerson, of Waldoboro, his son, Ronald Miller Jr. and his companion, Caitlin Jean, of Waldoboro, and his daughter, Darcey Rice and her fiancé, James Cafferella, of Littleton, Mass.; his grandchildren, Mackenzie, Grady and Brandon Emerson; Alexa, Kylie and Keira Miller, and Cassie and Nolan Rice; his aunts, Adelaide, Elizabeth, Clarissa and Eleanor; his uncle, Bill; and many cousins were all very special to him.

His family would like to thank anyone who was involved in his care at Pen Bay Medical Center, Hospice and Waldoboro Family Medicine.

At his request there will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held on Monday, Nov. 28, at 1 p.m. at his final resting place at German Protestant Cemetery, on Route 32 (Bremen Road) in Waldoboro.

Hall's of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.