B
ill Miller, 82, splits his days between real‑estate brokerage and operating heavy equipment in Asheville, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor’s at Cornell and a master’s from Indiana State, then pursued a Ph.D. in biology and zoology at NC State—though he never finished the dissertation. His early career included a NASA‑funded stint at Penn State and a decade teaching ninth‑grade biology.
In 1978 a friend invited him into real‑estate. He left a salaried teaching job for commission‑based work, starting in upstate New York before relocating to Asheville in 1983. The move was emotionally taxing but ultimately more lucrative. He has remained in the field for over four decades, focusing on residential homes and land rather than commercial properties. His approach is consultative: clients tell him their must‑haves, he curates options, and then guides them through the buying process. He and his wife, 77, both stay active in the same brokerage, enjoying the flexibility to pursue personal interests.
Miller’s side job began three years ago, driving a forklift, backhoe, tractor, and scissorjack for a younger business owner. He works 15–20 hours a week in the early mornings, freeing the rest of his day for real‑estate duties. The work is enjoyable and keeps him physically engaged, though he no longer needs the extra income. The partnership has grown into a mentor‑like relationship, with Miller helping the younger owner maintain a seven‑acre property and sharing fishing trips.
Financially, the couple lives comfortably. They own a low‑maintenance condo, hold a mortgage, and have no credit‑card debt or car loans. Their savings and Social Security could sustain them, but they prefer to stay active. In 2008, they owned two houses and had to sell one to avoid financial strain, choosing to live in the remaining property.
Miller is a dedicated volunteer, contributing to United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Transformation Village. He believes that earning a living in a community obliges one to give back. His family includes four college‑educated children—three of whom live near Asheville—and six grandchildren. He and his eldest son compete in sporting clay shooting.
Health-wise, Miller quit smoking 30 years ago but still has high cholesterol and a heart condition from 20 years prior, managed with a beta blocker. He has no major surgeries and remains physically capable of working.
He has no regrets except not completing his Eagle Scout rank or finishing his Ph.D. thesis. As long as he can get up, dress, and go to work, he plans to keep working, rejecting the idea of a sedentary retirement. He values the energy and purpose that his career provides, and he remains respected by younger colleagues who seek his guidance.
