William J. Miller

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Manhattan College

FUNERAL HOME

Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home Inc. - Pearl River

100 Franklin Ave.

Pearl River, New York

William Miller Obituary

1923 - 2015
William J. Miller died on May 20, 2015, at the age of 91, surrounded by his loved ones. His smile, zest for life, and gift of storytelling will be missed by all who knew him.

Born on June 19, 1923, in New York City to Alexander and Sara Miller, Bill graduated from Manhattan College with a BA in History. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 13th Air Force, from 1943 to 1945 in the Philippines, then at the end of World War II under General Douglas MacArthur at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, and ultimately as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. In 1949, he married Joan Gibson, at Sacred Heart in the Bronx. At the time, Joan was the executive secretary to the New York Times editor.

Nearly 70 years ago, he started as a stringer for the New York Times, eventually settling into the sports department, where his passion was track and field, particularly high school. There wasn't a meet that Bill didn't try to get the editor to give him space for these young athletes. His dedication was admired by journalists and kids alike. He received numerous accolades, notably, the Penn Relays Jesse Abramson Award and the NYC Armory's Stan Saplin Sports Media Award; additionally Hall of Fame inductions for Catholic High Schools Sports, Manhattan College Athletics, and just this week into the Rockland County Track & Field. Mr. Miller owned a medical publishing company, among his many publications, his Dialogues in Pediatric Urology earned recognition from the Society for Pediatric Urology.

He is the loving father of Thad (Maryellyn) of Houston TX, Chris (Ray Reyes) of Jersey City NJ, Timothy (Tom) of Pearl River NY, Terence (Joan Kelly) of Milwaukee WI, Alithe (Tom) Thompson of Highland Mills NY, and Tracey (Chris Zamberlan) Miller of Chevy Chase MD. He is the dear grandfather of Thaddeus (Britt), Cameron, Matthew, Tyler, Ali, Gabriela, Quinn, Aidan, Magdalena, and Fiona; and the great-grandfather of Zadie. He was preceded in death by his wife who died in 1993. He will be fondly remembered by his sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. Bill lived in Pearl River, NY for the past 62 years and was an active parishioner at St. Aedan Catholic Church.

Bill's life will be celebrated at the Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home in Pearl River from 4-8pm on Friday, May 22. The funeral Mass will be at St. Aedan's in Pearl River at 10am on Saturday, May 23, followed by interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog
/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from May 21 to May 22, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for William Miller

12 Entries

Don Costello

May 15, 2023

I worked for William Miller in the Sports Publicity Office at Manhattan College from 1951 until 1954. He obtained a sports stringer slot with the New York Times. There I covered a great many different sporting events in and around NY City. He was a great and kind friend. I am certain that anyone who knew him misses him. I hope to see him in heaven and we can share old sports tales with each other.

jane strauss

May 24, 2015

on behalf of my late father Edwin Strauss who was your insurance agent I want to express my sympathies for your loss. I remember Dad was displaying his DeCoupage plaques in the Gibson Store in Montvale New Jersey & how Bill came to Dad's wake, speaking to my late mother. Again I am sorry for your loss.

May 22, 2015

Dear Miller Family, Just learned of the passing of your great Dad! I first met Bill when I was a freshman at Manhattan College in 1949! We became fast friends. He invited me to many sports events through the years. We also worked together at Community Counseling Service, INC in the Empire State Building. I live in Seattle and had an hour's chat with Bill about a year ago. I have told my wife and children about Bill and what a wonderful person and friend he was. I knew Joan too and now can smile that they are reunited once again in heaven. Bill Tobin

Carole dachille

May 22, 2015

Such a sweet man. The Angels are rejoicing! Prayers and blessings to the miller family.
Carole D'Achille

Fred Galloway

May 22, 2015

Sorry for your lost!! I'll pray for you.

donald costello

May 22, 2015

I worked for Bill as a sports public student writer and he got me a job as a stringer. He was a great boss and a fine man. He will be missed by all that knew him especially those Quadrangle editors at Manhattan College.

May 22, 2015

To all family and friends : I am very sorry for your loss . Losing a loved one is very difficult . I hope all can be together during this time and may God be with you as well (Phil 4:6, 7)

May 22, 2015

Thad, we were so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Reading that your Father was a wonderful storyteller explains it all! You are your father's son.
Norma Dunn and Lauren James Harstad

Jack Fusco

May 22, 2015

Thad, Maryellyn and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Jack, Kristin Fusco and Family

Tom Lindgren

May 22, 2015

The thoughts and prayers of the Lindgren Family are with Bill and the entire Miller Family
Bill was a great friend to me and especially to my Dad and truly personified the true
"Manhattan Man"
May He Rest in Peace

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

May 21, 2015

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

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