Family members say that a Kentucky couple of 56-years was killed by tornadoes last week.
Billy and Judy Miller were two of 11 victims killed as storms tore through Muhlenberg County, northwest of Bowling Green in western Kentucky late Friday night.
Their granddaughter Serenity Miller said that they had died together and were still holding onto each other.
“Their love was so intense for each other that they knew they would not be able survive without one another.”
Miller said that despite half a century together and losing a son,Billy Miller Jr, and a daughter, Heather Miller Brooks, her grandparents’ love for each other never dimmed.
Pictured are Judy and Billy Miller who were holding hands last week during the deadly tornadoes which ripped through Kentucky.
Two of the eleven victims of Friday’s tornado in Muhlenberg County (northwest of Bowling Green), were Billy and Judy Miller.
The photo shows the couple getting married while Billy Miller was leaving for Vietnam.
“They developed deep relationships after losing two of their children. That bond is something that I do not believe anyone can break.
According to family, they attempted to get in touch with the victims on Saturday morning. Serenity Miller lived about 15 miles away while Serenity’s parents live five miles away.
Their home became a ruin after they had already passed away.
This elderly couple were hastily wed in 1966 while Billy was leaving for Vietnam. They got to renew their vows during a formal wedding ceremony on their 50th year anniversary.
“When he was in Vietnam, they were married. However, it wasn’t the kind of wedding that she wanted,” their grand-daughter said.
“They went, and she got the marriage she desired with all her grandchildren. Serenity Miller said that everything was possible for them.
Since then, the Miller family have been digging through debris. This was the home of Billy and Judy Miller. Nearly everything had been damaged or destroyed by the tornado.
After Friday’s devastating tornadoes, the Miller home was razed to rubble and debris.
They are now sorting through debris from their former home. However, almost everything in it was either destroyed or destroyed by the tornado.
They did however recover one item, Billy’s Marine Uniform Jacket. It was covered with mud, but it was otherwise intact.
Miller said that once he found the jacket, he remembered breaking down. He also added that Judy and em both took much pride in it.
Nearby Owensboro had a dry cleaner who offered to clean the house for no cost. Residents in Kentucky and Indiana were able to help the family locate any missing photos.
The family has so far recovered four photos of the couple from the home.
Miller stated that Miller believed their love was so strong for one another, they knew they couldn’t survive apart.
One item was however recovered by the team: Billy’s Marine Jacket, which had been covered in mud and otherwise unharmed.
Kentucky city Mayfield was especially hard hit, as was a candle factory.
On Friday, a tornado struck the Mayfield Consumer Products candle plant.
After residential communities were demolished to rubble, many residents have been forced from their homes.
Joe Biden (US President) inspects the storm damage and severe weather caused by the tornadoes that struck Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Families expressed gratitude for the two of them being together in their final moments.
A trail of destruction was left by the tornadoes that ran from Arkansas (where a nursing home was damaged) to Illinois where an Amazon distribution centre was severely damaged.
Andy Beshear of Kentucky stated that death rates could increase as authorities work to remove debris from the ground, slowing recovery efforts.
Nearly 500 National Guard troops were activated in the state. 95 National Guard officers are looking for people presumed to be dead.
Poweroutage.us estimates that nearly 26,000. homes and businesses in the state lost power, with almost all located in Mayfield.
As of Monday morning, over 10,000 houses and businesses still had no water and 17,000 more are in boil-water advisories according to Michael Dossett (Kentucky Emergency Management Director).
WLKY reports that President Joe Biden was in Kentucky Wednesday to inspect the destruction caused by the tornadoes. He also announced that 100 percent of Kentucky’s tornado recovery costs will be covered by the federal government for the first thirty days.