William L. Miller

Bill Miller, 88, one of the world’s truly great guys who touched others’ hearts exuding warmth and love, died on May 4th at Friendship Village of Dublin. In just three weeks, he went from pesky symptoms to the diagnosis of raging cancer of the liver and lungs, through which he was a cooperative, appreciative, realistic--but very sick-- patient.

Born in Lebanon, OH, Bill was Marie and Lester Miller’s middle child. He attended Worthington Schools through graduation in the Class of ‘51, where he was a serious student, involved in a variety of activities, a leader in a group of adventurous buddies, and his almost 6- and-a-half-foot height making exceling in basketball a natural for him. Many a dance partner benefited by his mother’s dictum that attending dancing class went along with playing the sport.

In ensuing years, friends and neighbors encouraged Bill to tell of his education and career path, where he interrupted studies at Miami U. to enlist for a life-altering tour in Korea. He returned with his sights set on working and living overseas, that he did after marrying Joan, with their growing family. They spent close to a decade in the Philippines and Geneva of his almost 40-year career with Caterpillar as a highly successful marketing executive helping to expand the company internationally. Savoring life in retirement, he then had time to give back to the community through effective volunteer work, continued to travel the globe, and achieved his first-ever hole-in-one during his last season of golf.

But Bill will most be remembered for his loyalty, complete devotion to, and pure joy being with his loved ones: the past 22 years with Mitz; Mike, April, Maria, Adam, Rainy, and Allie; Bob, Sheri, and Caleb; John, Colleen, Evan, and Owen; Ann, Bill, Sophie, and Lulu; AJ, John, Erin, Meghan, Nassim, Jack, Jessica, Rachel, and Joe; his brother-in-law, Chet, and nieces and nephews and their families--Jody, Linda, Kathy, Jamie, Stuart, and Jenny.

Bill’s wife Joan, brother John and wife Susie, and sister Joan predeceased him.

Due to the inadvisability of large group gatherings at this time, the Millers/Timmonses need to limit participation at the service for Bill to immediate family only; no public service will take place. A video of the family service will be available later by contacting the family for the private YouTube site.  

Appropo to Bill and others being recipients of research and treatment at The Ohio State University’s The James, family members have formed Team Bill for this year’s August 6th classic bike ride Pelotonia, whose contributions at Pelotonia.org go 100% toward the fight against cancer. Join them, as there’s still time to train for even a short Pelotonia ride.

Because of recent Mother’s Day bouquets, please no flowers. Contributions can also be made to the Friendship Village of Dublin Residents’ Benevolent Fund, 6000 Riverside Drive, Dublin, OH, 43017, or First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus, 93 West Weisheimer Road, Columbus, OH, 43214.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William L. Miller, please visit our floral store.