Lawrence W. Miller III

    A heart that Lawrence Wesley Miller III carved into a tree at Albert’s Landing is an enduring memento of his love of his wife. He carved it and the pair’s initials back in 1983, three years after their marriage, and it remains today.

    Mr. Miller died of pneumonia on March 11 at Southampton Hospital. He was 54.

    An 11th-generation Bonacker and Amagansett resident, Mr. Miller, who was known as Butch, spent much of his time at Accabonac Creek, or “Bonac Crick.”

    His family said Mr. Miller “put his heart into everything he did.” He enjoyed the arts — painting, writing, and music — and worked as a house painter, carpenter, and mechanic.

    In addition to his creative endeavors, Mr. Miller was devoted to his family. He married the former Vonda K. Lester in 1980 and the couple had four children. They were his “top priority,” his family said. Last summer he and his wife celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a renewal of their vows.

    Mr. Miller was born to Lawrence Wesley Miller Jr. and Ellen Bennett Miller on Aug. 7, 1956, at Southampton Hospital. He grew up in Springs and attended the Springs School and East Hampton High School.

    He is survived by his wife and four children: Derek J. Miller, Cregg A. Miller, and Alexandra R. Miller, all of Springs, and Joshua Lawrence William Miller, 14, of Amagansett. Three sisters, Vanessa Bock of East Hampton, Deborah Follenius of South Carolina, and Frances Silipo of Springs, also survive.

    Funeral services were held at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton on March 14 and at the Amagansett Presbyterian Church the next day with the Rev. Steven E. Howarth officiating. A private burial followed.

    Memorial donations have been suggested to the Joshua Miller Trust Fund in care of Suffolk County National Bank, 351 Pantigo Road, East Hampton 11937, or P.O. Box 446, Amagansett 11930.