William P Miller

Apache Junction, Arizona - William P. Miller (Bill), 86, died Thursday, Oct. 27th, 2016 at his home, Ironwood Assisted Living in Apache Junction.
He leaves his son, Joakim Miller, as well as his 2 brothers, Jon and Albert, sister, Jane, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Preceding his passing was his wonderful wife Thiang Long Miller and his brother Wendell and sister Ruth.
Born and raised in Lawnside, New Jersey, the son of Walter and Sara Miller, lived in Indonesia, Malaysia, Washington D.C., Maryland and Arizona.
In his early years, Bill Miller, graduate of Haddon Heights H.S. and while representing the USA and serving in the Marine Corp., Navy, won a silver medal, Javelin in the 1952 Olympics. Returning to Arizona State College (now University), he completed his BS and MA studies in Psychology and an additional year of MA studies at University of Pennsylvania in International Affairs.
Bill's accomplishments as an athlete, included holding world records in the Javelin and in the Decathlon for the Javelin and High Jump. He was also 3rd in the USA as a Decathlon athlete in 1952. Bill pursued his skills as an athlete by working for the U.S. State Department as the U.S. Liaison and Head Coach for the National Indonesian Track and Field Coach, then after, as the Head Coach of the National Malaysian Track and Field Coach. In 1967, Bill brought his family back to the U.S. and worked for the U.S. Office of Economic Security in Washington D.C. He later then transitioned into the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in D.C. Continuing with the BIA, ended his work career in Arizona working with Native American desert crops, Jojoba and Guayule. Bill was published in the National Geographic for his work with these desert crops. One can find Jojoba in many shampoo's and lotions today.
Bill was passionate about many things; his love of family, his art and paintings that he created, his belief in natural medicines and herbs, his drive to coach and develop others in athletics and as better individuals and his love for being a Native American.
Bill Miller will always be with us. A private burial service will be held Monday, Nov. 14th, 2016 at Mariposa Gardens in Mesa, Arizona.


Arrangements under the direction of Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, Mesa, AZ.