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William Miller Obituary
On December 26, 2013 former Akronite and Shaker Heights resident, William "Bill" Russell Miller, departed from this life in Cocoa Beach, Fla. after a lengthy illness.
Born in Albany, Ky. on April 6, 1922 to Flossie O'Della (nee Sprouls) and John A. "Dude" Miller, Bill was preceded in death by both of his parents and by brothers, Johnnie Miller, Lyle Miller, Richard Miller, and by sister, Mary Elizabeth Williams.
Bill graduated from Dunbar High School in Somerset, Ky., following which he served his country in World War II in the South Pacific as a Technical Sergeant with the U.S. Army. Going to college on the G.I. Bill, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University and received his Masters of Science degree from The University of Akron. Bill was a proud lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., of Beta Rho chapter of the Sigma Pi Phi Boule, and achieved the highest level of masonry, the 33rd degree, through affiliation with Prince Hall, Northern Jurisdiction, USA Inc.
Beginning at the Goodyear Atomic Energy Plant in Piketon, Bill climbed the corporate ladder to become Vice-President, the first African-American officer of a major rubber company. He retired in 1987 but remained active in various business ventures and consultancies. Bill served on more than 19 boards, six of which he chaired, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, FAMU College of Business Advisory Board, Alpha Homes, Inc., Akron City Hospital, Green Cross Hospital, Huntington Bank, Akron Roundtable, Summit Country Children Services, and many others.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 18 years, Edith. Bill leaves to mourn, children, Richard V. Ross, Anita Rankin (William), Rosanne Miller-Cleveland, and Shana Miller. He is survived by sisters, Imogene Moffett and Sally Mae McDougal (Robert); grandchildren, Stefani Fullum, Anthony (Shelli) Fullum, Royce Cleveland, and Amanda Cleveland. Bill was a loving great-grandfather to Castor and Dakota Cleveland. He served as mentor and wise "Uncle Russell" to Richard Michael Miller, Frieda Thomas, Dianne Andrews, Vicky Crosby, John Albert Miller II, Arthur Wayne Patrick, Debra Parmer, Patricia Miller, David Miller, Mya McClain, Dionne Miller-Fitch, and to all of their children. He also leaves to mourn his sister-in-law, Ila Miller.
An hour of visitation will commence on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home, 529 W. Thornton Street, Akron, OH 44307, with a homegoing service immediately following in the Stewart Calhoun chapel beginning at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the William R. and Edith Pitt-Stamps Miller Endowment Fund (777450), c/o Tennessee State University Foundation, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., Nashville, TN 37209.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Miller
Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.
Debra Parmer
October 29, 2023
I miss my Uncle Russell. He was like a second father to me.
Ananias Mason
December 27, 2014
Will truly miss the good times we had together whenever we were together. What a loss. Edith we will keep you in our prayers.
STAN PALMER
January 18, 2014
My deepest sympathy to Edith and the Miller family. I shall always cherish the more than twenty years of playing golf with Bill in Florida, Ohio and Maryland. I will truly miss his friendship and keen sense of humor both on and off the links. His was a life well lived. May God's strength continue to bless you and your family.
Breannah Evora
January 14, 2014
Uncle Bill,
I will miss you so much, one of my favorite Uncles I will forever more value the memory of you. May you rest in peace & just know I love you!
tami thompson
January 6, 2014
My prayers and sympathy go out to the Miller family. God bless Shana and the entire Miller family. May God bless the mother of the Miller children (Mother Virginia) who raised Anita, Rosanne, and Shana alongside Mr. Miller. He will be missed.
Diana Moore
January 5, 2014
So sorry to read this today! Praying for you all! Mom Egene Connor and Aunt Ruth Reed thought the world of Uncle Russell. Praying for you all. God Bless. Diana Moore
Nick Cistone
January 4, 2014
Family of William Miller, You have my sincere condolences in your loss. I knew Bill from Goodyear. I could always count on a smile and a kind greeting from him whenever I saw him. You are all in my thoughts and Prayers!
Jim Hanna
January 3, 2014
Anita & the entire Miller Family,
I offer you my condolences in the passing of Mr. Miller. I was fortunate enough to have met him a few times while at Goodyear. I know that my father, who passed away about six months ago, had known and worked with “Bill” and thought so much of him.
The pain of his loss will subside, but the joy of the memory of his life and the impact that he had on so many will last for years and years to come.
God Bless all of you,
Jo Ann Tackovich
January 3, 2014
So sorry to hear about the loss of Bill Miller. My deepest sympathy. We worked together at Goodyear many many years and actually retired the same year 1987. He was always kind, cheerful, and upbeat. He will be missed.
John & Mary Thomas
January 3, 2014
Edith & family, our thoughts and prayers are with you as we share in the loss of your loved one. May God comfort and keep you during this difficult time.
January 3, 2014
Anita and Family,
I was very saddened to hear about the passing of your father. Please know that your Father always had a smile for me and was always concerened about my well being. He and my Father were in the service together many years ago. He always made me feel a part of the Goodyear family. It was an honor to know him. I am sure that he will smile upon all who those he loves from his seat in Heaven. My deepest sympathy to you and your Family.
Mike Steiner
Randell & Karen Groce
January 3, 2014
So sorry to hear about Mr. Miller. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Edward Milbry
January 3, 2014
I was saddened to hear of your loss. My wife and I offer our condolences at this difficult time. I worked at Goodyear while Mr. Miller served as Vice President. He was a great man.
Bob Nemer
January 3, 2014
To Bill's family....He was # 1 in EVERY facet of life. We were peers in the rubber industry...he at Goodyear and I at Firestone. We haven't seen each other for many years as I left the rubber industry in 1978.....however when we "bumped into each other" at local business/social functions, there were warm oral greetings exchanged and a warm strong embraced followed. We truly cared for each other via our respect and admiration. Bill was a "one of a kind person" that enriches your life by his being in it. I know God will reward him immensely in heaven. May he rest in peace...he richly deserves it.
January 2, 2014
You have my prayers during these difficult times.
Brother Wayman Smith
Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home
January 1, 2014
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
January 2, 2014
Trust in God with all you heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. (Prov. 3:5)
Jim Britt
January 2, 2014
such a wonderful person, heaven gained an angel prayers for you all always in all ways
Geneva Carlton
January 2, 2014
Condolences to the family and friends of Bill Miller. I knew him from church and Goodyear. He always had a "listening ear" and treated everyone with respect.
Ken and Sue Garner Riddle
January 2, 2014
The Miller family has always been a great family to the Highway community. Russell`s dad was an outstanding member of Highway that was respectable and kind to others. He was well liked by everyone in Clinton County. We are very saddened to hear of your loss but we are praying for your family to have comfort and peace during this time.
Gary Richards
January 2, 2014
Iam sorry for your loss. I remember Bill when he worked at Goodyear though he was Vice President, Bill treated everyone the same regardless of your station in life, Bill was a friend to all and he always had a big smile and a kind word for everyone. You can take pride in the type of person he was and Bill will be a glowing star in Heaven also. May God bless you all with His Peace and Love
Ananias & Madeline Mason
January 2, 2014
Sorry to hear that "Bill" is no longer with us, he will be greatly missed.
David Cross
January 2, 2014
Russell was a man I had great respect and admiration for. His family is without a doubt among the finest people Clinton County ever produced--and Russell's own achievements were outstanding. I was proud to consider him my friend.
Gay Latham
January 2, 2014
I was blessed to have been introduced to Mr Miller here in Albany, Ky by his old friend and my cousin, Raymond Delk. I am saddened to learn of his passing.
Mike Rogers
January 2, 2014
Love and prayers to all the family and especially to Bro Bob and Sis Sally McDougal.
January 2, 2014
To the Miller family with great sorrow and sympathy of your love one. Mr. Miller was a great man to the Akron community and did great wonders. I am so sorry for your loss.
Betty Driscol-Wilson
Michele Avery
January 2, 2014
So sorry to hear this. My father had always spoken of all the shenanigans of the milllers,burchetts and my uncle and himself. I'm proud to say that I have known both these families and they have always been warm and loving. My uncle Waymon ran the highway Gas station for years. Paul Avery is my father and I will tell him this sad news today. God Bless each and everyone. Michele Avery.
Mark Bobes
January 2, 2014
Anita,
We understand that it is always difficult to lose a parent no matter what your age. Just as you did so often and wisely, your dad took time from his schedule to give me sound business advice.
Mark and Debbie
Ernest Taggart
January 2, 2014
It's hard to understand a loss like yours, but hope you know that others are thinking of you, caring about you, and wishing you comfort and peace.
Judy Mercer
January 2, 2014
So sorry for your loss
January 1, 2014
To the Family of "Uncle Russell", we are very sorry for your loss. May God comfort you during this time very difficult time. Ronnie and I will be praying for the family and may God grant you his grace and mercy to see you through this sad period in your life. Love Sherry and Ronnie
January 1, 2014
So sorry to hear of your loss. I only knew him from golf, but he was always warm and friendly. I will keep you and your family in prayers during this difficult time. Betty Blair
Dollean Harmon
January 1, 2014
Sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Charles Small Sr
January 1, 2014
To the family: You have lost a great man but let those good memories give you comfort.
So long my friend. We had a million good conversations in the past and worked together on some good projects. Take your rest.
Clyde Barrett Jr.
January 1, 2014
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Rosemary Walton
January 1, 2014
Roseanne and family, I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you! God Bless you! Rosemary Walton
January 1, 2014
Edith, my sincere sympathy to you and the family. Bill fought a hard fight. Be strong.
December 28, 2013
So sorry for your loss. May God be your source of comfort and strength during this difficult time.
December 28, 2013
A tribute to a man I truly loved....
Extraordinary, charismatic, charming, loving...William Russell "Bill" Miller
He was born in a rural area of Kentucky--a community where he and his family were "different" from most of the other residents of the town. The oldest of seven born to Christian parents (Dude and Della) who owned and operated a beautiful farm originally purchased by his grandfather in the late 1800s. Working hard as a young Christian man, one smothering hot summer day, sweating profusely as he followed behind a mule and a plow preparing the land for planting, he commented to one of his younger brothers "there must be a better way!" He went on to leave that rural little township to join the US Army during WWII. After serving his country, he enrolled and graduated from Tennessee State. Leaving that college, degree in hand, he started an amazing journey as an Alpha Phi Alpha man. Hired by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the 1950s (at a level in which he was later asked not to disclose), he climbed the rungs of the corporate ladder, completing a Masters degree, achieving the highest degree of Freemasonry, an avid golfer, you name it, he did it. He went on to notably become The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's first African American Vice President. Traveling the world, dining with Presidents, had dancing the night away on ballroom and dance floors in private clubs across the globe, my Uncle was smooth!
As tears stream down my face, I know he transitioned on December 26th to a much better place. I am delighted to share he was right on that hot summer day many, many years ago....there was a better way!
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