As a lad growing

up in south Georgia, Ben Miller first fell in love with the law while

working at his father's dry goods store in Lumpkin.

Only the future

Superior Court Judge wasn't "working" at the store. Instead,

he would sit on the back row of the Stewart County Courthouse, watching

the judicial system work its magic.

Now, after

serving the Griffin Judicial Circuit for nearly 33 years (including eight

years as district attorney), Miller has announced he will retire from

his judgeship effective Dec. 31. His immediate plans include spending

more time with his nine grandchildren "I don't want them growing

up without learning how to fish," he says and spending more time

on the family farm in Marion County.

"I have

some other interests I'd like to pursue," said Miller, 66. "But

I don't want to forget about the law, either."

So Miller has

agreed to take senior judge status, filling in for other Superior Court

Judges throughout the state when necessary. Miller says he enjoys working

in other courthouses throughout Georgia and can put up with the travelling.

"I've

been fooling with the law too long to hang it up and never look at it

again," Miller said. "I'll be closer to 67 when I retire, and

I feel good and haven't slowed down too much, but I'm not 21 years old,

either."

Miller was

appointed District Attorney of the Griffin Judicial Circuit (which includes

Fayette County) in 1969 and served in that capacity for eight years before

being appointed to a Superior Court judgeship here.

A native of

Richland, about 35 miles south of Columbus, Miller ran the family dairy

farm after serving the military. Then he decided to seek entrance into

the law school at the University of Georgia ... only he didn't tell a

soul until after he had been accepted.

After graduating

with his law degree, Miller worked as an attorney in Thomaston in the

firm of Adams and Barfield, later making partner before he was appointed

district attorney. His son, Ben Miller Jr., is now a partner in the same

firm, of which Judge Miller is very proud.

As the judge's

retirement nears, he imagines hunting wild turkey and deer with his kids

and grandkids on the family farm, and tending to a sailboat that needs

repair. Still, the law won't be far off his mind, especially when he's

called to sit in on a case.

"It's

an interesting way to make a living and an honorable profession,"

Miller said of being a judge. "I'm glad to have been a part of it."