Bellevue West Class of 1996 alum Willie Miller’s story is one of growth, grit, and the power of people who believe in you. From unforgettable moments in the classroom and on the football field to lessons that shaped his life beyond high school, Willie reflects on the teachers, coaches, and experiences that helped him peel back the layers and discover who he truly is. His journey is a reminder that the impact of Bellevue West extends far beyond graduation.

Bellevue Alumni Association - Alumni Spotlight:

Willie Miller, Bellevue West Class of 1996

Q: What was your most memorable experience in high school?

A: My most memorable experience at Bellevue West was with my advanced English teacher, Mrs. Ellen Hargus. She noticed the mask I wore to protect my feelings, even down to the machine gun earrings I hid behind. At that time, I was trying to stay hidden. I felt that only the person I was dating and a small group of close friends really knew the real me. Mrs. Hargus saw through it all and asked the right questions, showing genuine care and understanding.

Another moment that stands out was the first time I danced at a high school event. I had always wanted to dance but cared too much about what others might think. That was a small step toward letting go, though I still didn’t let many people in. Like Shrek says, I had a lot of layers, and most people never made it past the first one or two. However, that dance was a turning point. It was the beginning of me peeling back those layers, one by one, and allowing myself to be more open and vulnerable.

Q: Tell us about a teacher, coach, or staff member who significantly impacted you

A: One of the first people to genuinely believe in me as an athlete and as a young man was Mr. Dave Seeba, my eighth-grade football coach. We were playing Westside Middle School, and I remember carrying the ball so many times in a row that I thought I was going to throw up. I was exhausted and wanted to come out of the game, but Mr. Seeba gently told me that he and the team needed me to keep going. I dug deep and finished that game, and something changed in me that day. It was the first time I truly believed in myself and in what I was capable of on the field. That confidence carried into high school and became the foundation for everything that followed.

Another major influence was Steve Lebedz, one of my English teachers. He was among the few who told me he planned to come watch me play, and I remember mentioning that Coach Solich (running backs coach for the Huskers at that time) would be there that night as well. After the Bellevue West vs. Bryan High game, when I carried the ball more than 30 times for over 300 yards and scored four or five touchdowns, Mr. Lebedz kept his word and was in the stands. The following Monday, the first thing he said when he saw me was, “What’s up, Willie Wolf?” We happened to be reading Beowulf in class at the time, and he said I ran with that same fierce determination. Mr. Lebedz saw my heart and drive, not just my athletic ability.

I also want to recognize Coach John Faiman, our head football coach. When our starting tailback was dismissed early in the season, Coach Faiman trusted me to carry the offense from a single back formation. The success that followed opened doors I never imagined, including earning a Division I scholarship. Coach Faiman passed away in 2012, but if he were here today, I’d look at him, smile, and simply say, “Bingo.” That was his word for running the play over or repeating it until we got it right! It would be my way of saying thank you for believing in me and for helping me earn this second chance at life.

The greatest influence in high school came from Coach Oudious Lee. I first met him the summer before my freshman year, when I walked into the gym and saw upperclassmen like Chad Hughes and Mike Ingwerson working out. Coach Lee asked if I was a Hatch, and that simple question sparked a bond that would last for decades. He became a father figure pushing me when I needed it, encouraging me when I struggled, and even stepping in to protect me during a situation that nearly cost me my life. It was the first time someone outside my family had ever defended me like that, and it changed me. It taught me the importance of being willing to help others. Oudious did most of what he did without expecting anything in return; he gave out of the goodness of his heart.

Years later, during my recovery, I reached out to make amends, unsure if he would even want to hear from me. Coach Lee welcomed me back with open arms and forgiveness. That moment reminded me what true mentorship, love, and grace look like, and I will always be grateful for the protection, belief, and steady guidance he gave me.

Q: What activities, clubs, or sports were you involved in during high school, and how did they influence your path after graduation?

A: At Bellevue West, I participated in football, track, and wrestling early on. By my freshman year, I knew football was where I wanted to focus most of my energy. Since anything over 189 pounds was considered heavyweight in wrestling, and I was already aiming to be over 220 by senior year, I decided to concentrate fully on football and track.

Football became more than a sport; it became an outlet. Looking back, I realize I used it to release the pain and trauma I carried. It was my way of coping and expressing emotions I didn’t yet know how to face.

That intensity eventually led me to the University of Nebraska, where I played fullback for the Huskers and started for two seasons. When my playing career ended, I began to understand how much football had helped me survive, and how much healing still lay ahead. The lessons of discipline, teamwork, and resilience have continued to guide my life ever since.

If I could go back, I might add band or choir, which I loved in middle school but dropped to “fit in.” These days, I know that being authentic is what truly matters.

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: Today, I’m a registered nurse, a path inspired by my mom, who was also a nurse. I always wanted to follow in her footsteps, but when I was younger, it was not considered “cool” for guys to be nurses, so I took a different route for many years.

During my football career, I had several medical procedures and noticed how different it felt when a nurse genuinely cared. I promised myself that if I ever became one, my patients would always know that I was there for them first.

After my playing days ended, I spent more than a decade on disability, believing I was bipolar. Eventually, I learned that my true diagnosis was PTSD, and that discovery changed everything. Once I began healing, I felt called to help others do the same.

That journey also led me to write my first book, The Space Between Reaction and Choice, which explores how learning to pause, identify emotions, and respond with awareness can create lasting change. Today, I combine medical science with empathy and holistic care to support people on their own healing journeys. I'm also actively looking to be more involved in the community through service, speaking, and participation in local events. I'm open to working in a part-time nursing role that allows flexibility to engage with community initiatives, attend events, and travel when needed to share this work. My goal is to become a certified healing touch practitioner and continue blending modern nursing with integrative wellness. Nursing is not just my profession, it is my purpose, and my way of turning pain into purpose. 

Today, I combine medical science with empathy and holistic care to support people on their own healing journeys. My goal is to become a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner and continue blending modern nursing with integrative wellness. Nursing is not just my job; it is my purpose and my way of turning pain into purpose.

Q: What has been your proudest achievement since leaving high school?

A: My proudest achievement is my sobriety and finally being able to answer a question I was once asked in my mid-thirties: “Who is Willie Miller?” For years, I didn’t know.

On October 20, 2018, I drank myself into a coma. When I woke up, I realized exactly who I was—a scared little boy in a grown man’s body. From that day forward, I committed to giving that boy everything he needed to heal. That decision led me back to the light and to a new purpose: nursing.

In 2021, I was accepted into Creighton University’s accelerated BSN program, something I once thought I wasn’t smart enough to achieve. I had grown up wanting to play football for Nebraska, and I did that. But graduating from Creighton at 42 meant something even deeper. It represented belief in myself.

The Nebraska State Board of Nursing later granted me a free and clear license to practice, even with a past felony conviction. That moment symbolized grace, redemption, and the power of perseverance. Sobriety gave me back my life and the opportunity to use it to help others find theirs.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: My family is my greatest blessing and the foundation of everything I do. My wife, Karrie, and I have walked through more together than most couples face in a lifetime. She is my best friend, my partner, and the person who has stood beside me through every high and low since we connected in 2018. Together, we have experienced both deep joy and unimaginable heartbreak, but our love and faith have carried us through.

We have a beautiful daughter, Reigna, who continues to be one of my greatest inspirations. Watching her grow into the woman she has become fills me with pride and gratitude. We also had two sons, McKinley Keith and Myles Major Miller, who both passed away. Their lives, though brief, changed me forever. They remind me every day of the importance of love, faith, and the fragile beauty of time. Their memory guides how I love, serve, and show up for others.

Beyond my immediate family, one of the greatest gifts in my recovery has been the restoration of relationships, especially with my dad. For many years, there was distance and pain between us, but through honesty and forgiveness, we rebuilt our relationship into something real and lasting. Today, I am proud of the bond we share and the understanding we have found.

Family, to me, is not just about blood. It is about grace, second chances, and the people who choose to walk beside you no matter what. Karrie and Reigna embody that kind of love, and the boys we lost remind me to never take it for granted.

Q: What advice would you give to current students in Bellevue who are trying to figure out their future paths?

A: My advice is simple: take time to put down social media and get to know yourself. Spend time alone and start picturing who you are and who you want to become. The world is loud, and it’s easy to lose yourself in comparison, but true growth begins when you learn to listen to your own heart.

Be aware of your journey, where you have been, where you are, and where you want to go. You do not need all the answers yet, but self-awareness will guide you in the right direction.

One of the most important lessons I have learned in life and in recovery is the power of integrity. During treatment, I was taught that the key to sobriety and to living free is to be honest with yourself and with others, no matter what. The truth always comes out in the end, and living with integrity will always set you apart.

Take time to reflect, be real with yourself, and walk in truth. The person you become will thank you for it.

Willie’s Favorites…..

Movie: Hot Tub Time Machine/Remember the Titans

Book: The Four Agreements by Dona Miguel Ruiz

Song: I’m Not Afraid by Eminem

Food: A nice, perfectly cooked steak.

Bellevue Restaurants: During high school, it was Tim’s Barbecue and the Old Country Buffet