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William Miller Obituary
William H. (Bill) Miller passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2012 just 5 days shy of his 88th birthday. He was born on March 9, 1924 in Stockton, Calif. to William and Helen Miller. Bill grew up in Long Beach and Glendale, Calif., graduating from Glendale High School in 1942. He attended Glendale College before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps in January, 1943. Commissioned as a 2nd Lt., Bill served as a co-pilot and pilot of a B-17 "Flying Fortress". On April 29, 1944, his plane was shot down over Berlin and he was captured and imprisoned in Stalag III. He escaped twice and was recaptured. Forced to march to avoid the advancing allied armies, he was relocated in Moosburg and then Liberato by Patton's 3rd army exactly one year after his capture on April 29, 1945. Bill returned to Glendale where he married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Patricia Johnson, on August 11, 1945. He attended USC and worked in automobile and insurance sales and management in Texas and California, opening an office for Great Southern Life in So. Calif. in 1959. He later served as vice-president of Sales for Beneficial Standard Life. Bill and Pat raised three sons in La Crescenta, Calif. and after retirement relocated to Palm Springs in 1990. He enjoyed golf, working as a docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum, poker with friends and time with family. He was active in the local POW Chapter and The Elks Club. Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Pat, and three sons: Doug (Patti) of La Crescenta, Mike (Judy) of Salem, Ore. And Mark (Linda) of Santa Clarita, Calif.; seven grandchildren: Jenny, Brett, Aaron, Collin, Matt, Lindsay and Molly and three great-grandchildren, Brittany, Carter and Belle. He will be dearly missed. A memorial service is planned for Friday, March 16, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Wiefels & Son Funeral Home, 690 Vella Rd., Palm Springs. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Bill's memory to a charity of your choice.
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