William Lawrence Miller, 71, of Big Canoe, died Oct. 9, 2013.

Larry was quite a character, who enjoyed his life as a professional gambler. He loved his garden and won the garden of the year award in 2011.

His garden was featured in the Georgia Gardener's magazine in 2012.

Larry was a Civil War enthusiast and had visited many of the battlefields. He was an avid collector of Civil War artifacts.

In the 1960s, he worked in the space industry and had the privilege of touring the Saturn 5 before it launched and was able to witness John Glenn's moon mission launch.

His father, Lynwood Lawrence Miller; and his wife, Janice Postell Miller, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Wyl Bennett Miller; daughters, Lara and Dave Potts, Jana Miller; grandchildren, Christopher Potts and Emma Lynn Potts; great-aunt, Frances Bennett Hasty; cousin, Bill and Becky Hasty; various other relatives also survive.

Memorial services were held at 1 p.m. Oct. 16 at Georgetown Cemetery in Georgetown, Ga., with the Rev. Perry Rubin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Georgia Battlefields Association, c/o Frank Chew, 7 Camden Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory of Cumming was in charge of the arrangements.