Claudia Kay Miller-Murray

Claudia Kay Miller-Murray (Williams) 

January 3, 1935-December 14, 2025

Claudia was born January 3, 1935 in Pomeroy, WA in Garfield County. Claudia’s family were early settlers to Garfield County arriving in the 1860’s and 1870’s. Her mother’s family from was Tennessee and her father’s from Missouri. She grew up on a wheat farm in the fertile hills south of Pomeroy with her parents and eventually her younger brother Roger. In high school she contracted polio. She missed a year of school but did graduate and went on to attend college at Whitman College in Walla Walla. But college was interrupted by love. She married Louis Miller, also from Pomeroy, Christmas Eve 1955 at Fort Benning, GA where Lou was stationed. Early in their marriage Lou was sent to Korea for a 14 month tour. Claudia moved to Spokane and worked at AAA during this time. While Lou was away she joined the Catholic Church. Lou joined when he returned from Korea. After seven years, Lou got out of the Army in 1962 and went to work for the Forest Service where he worked as an engineer. Claudia said that between the Army and Forest Service they moved fourteen times in a span of 16 years. In 1971 they settled in Olympia, WA where they continued to raise their four children. Claudia loved people. She tried to be active in the church no matter where they were living. Once in Olympia where roots could grow they both became very active at St Michael’s Church. She started the RCIA (Rites for Christian Initiation) program at St Michael’s. A program she led for many years. 

Claudia rarely if ever said an unkind thing about anyone. She had the ability to look inside someone and see the good. She was quicker to forgive than most. It was this example of how to live that the four of us grew up with. 

Lou lost a battle with cancer in 1989. Claudia was not alone during that time. Pete Murray was faced with a similar situation. The two became closer friends as they faced losing their respective spouses. Our two families had known each other for many years by this time. Pete’s wife Linda passed a short while after Lou. A little over a year later Claudia married Pete. Pete introduced Claudia to square dancing which they did regularly for 30 years often traveling around the state for square dancing events. They traveled extensively throughout the country in their RV often visiting relatives as a part of their travels. They had several trips overseas exploring The Holy Land, China, Spain and Italy. With Pete, Claudia was able to fulfill her desire to travel to places important to her faith and meet new people. 

Claudia is survived by her loving husband, Pete, her four children Stephen Miller (Lydia), Martha Estes, Becky Trepanier (Phil), and Mary Rants; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are Pete’s five sons, their spouses, and children. Pete’s son Bill was especially close to Claudia. 

Claudia was preceded in death by her brother Roger Williams in 2021,, and her parents Roy Eugene Williams and Katherine Marguerite Williams (Sherfey).