Willard D. Miller

Willard D. Miller, 81, of North Dighton, formerly of Taunton and California, passed away on December 29, 2025 at St. Ann's Hospital in Fall River. Born in Brockton, a son of the late Willard E. Miller and Helen (Coe) Miller, he was raised in Taunton and was a graduate of Taunton High School and Taunton Vocational School.

Willard enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1964. He served as a Lance Corporal in Charlie Company (Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines) during the Vietnam War. Charlie Company was deployed into intense combat operations on difficult terrain. They faced heavy fire, ambushes, and significant casualties, and Williard was injured in combat. Willard earned the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze star. He was honorably discharged.

An American Veteran, he began his civilian career in California where he worked for Bastanchory Water Company. He then moved on to work at Trailways Bus Company and Silver Light Express Bus Company where he was a Transportation Specialist. For many years he enjoyed providing sightseeing tours, and touring with famous musicians such as Prince, Weird Al Yankovic, AC/ DC, Van Halen, Pat Benetar, and Iron Maiden - to name a few.

He travelled to England, Australia, Poland, and all over the United States and had great appreciation for the beauties of nature, like the Grand Canyon, which he saw during his travels. Willard moved back to Massachusetts after his daughter was born and became the proprietor of Rt. 44 Auto Sales in Raynham which he operated for numerous years, before working in construction prior to retirement.

He had a talent for woodworking and craftsmanship and was always working on projects of one type or another. He was the type of man who would build things himself rather than buy something new. He always enjoyed raising animals such as horses, Netherland Dwarf rabbits, Lovebirds, dogs, chickens, and even large tanks full of fish. He passed down a love for walks in the woods, going to the beach, canoeing, kayaking, identifying birds, and finding adventure. He was generous and caring, if not always well-mannered. He always had time to listen to a good story, tell a joke, or check in with a long phone call.

Friends and family knew him as Bill, and we will hold tight to the memories of him laughing, building things, dressing up as Santa, finding the best deals, and watching old Westerns. He was one of a kind.

He is survived by his daughter, Lindsay Read and her husband Connor of Easton; a brother, Warren Miller and his wife Debra Costa Miller of Freetown; two grandchildren, Alexandra Read and Juliet Read both of Easton; nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Pamela Machado Benoit.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held on February 15th from 2 to 5pm at the Easton VFW (61 Rockland St., North Easton). In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be sent to the Disabled American Veterans DAV 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018. www.help.dav.org