Obituary of William Miller

MILLER, William Richard (Bill)- " We are not human beings having a spiritual experience: we are spiritual beings having a human experience."- (Tielhard de Chardin) On July 28th, at the age of 86, Bill completed his human experience and moved on to his new life in the spirit. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Deeply loved by his wife Rita (Ives) of 55 years, his daughters Sheila (Bob) of Cape Breton and Martha (Robbie) of Boston, his sons Greg (Allison) and Matt (Debra) of St. Catharines. He is cherished and affectionately known as 'Bobie' by his grandchildren-Matt (Shryl), Jessica (William), Steven (Amanda), Ryan, Courtney, Kyle, Chelsea, Paul, Mark, Rachel, Joseph, Paul M.G. and Patrick, and great grandchildren Lucas and Mathew. Bill is predeceased by his parents Frederick and Patricia, brothers Robert and John and his sister Mary. He is survived by his sisters Marguerite Morrison of Toronto, Emily Beck (Ralph) of Connecticut and his brother Fred (Anne Marie) of Ottawa. He is also survived by his in-laws Marg Ives, Dorothy Ives, Catharine and Sam Gottry and Bob Holmes as well as many loved nieces and nephews. After wartime service in the Canadian navy, Bill became a Chartered Accountant (1950) and married Rita in 1952. Bill's work took them and their growing family to several places in Ontario and finally to an assignment in what is now Bangladesh. From there, the family returned to St. Catharines where Bill's life with Rita had originally began. It was there that Bill, in 1950, was first introduced to his future bride by Rita's late sister and brother-in-law Marie and Don Howe. Bill entered the real estate business in St. Catharines, as a second career and was much respected for his hard work and integrity. He eventually retired in 1991. Bill enjoyed the beauty and ambience of Niagara which ran second in his heart only to the pride in and love for his family. Bill had a tremendous capacity for enjoying life. He loved travel, bridge, theatre, crossword puzzles, horse races. He was an avid reader, baseball fan, and very talented writer. His interest in his community and friendships was lively and never waned, even as his illness progressed. Bill's passion for helping others led him to volunteer in various capacities: local literacy work, serving lunches at Ozanam, taking calls at the Distress Center, and advocating for human rights through Amnesty International. Bill was well known for his humour and wisdom. These qualities, along with his deep faith, helped him through his illness, as they did all his life, and were a great source of inspiration to all of us. We are grateful to the very skilled and compassionate staff of the CCAC. Thanks to Drs. O'Reilly, Bertley and Hartman and to nurses Ann , Judy and Claire. We are most grateful to the many personal support workers who faithfully tended to him during his long illness. Bill was touched and humbled by their work. Mr Miller is resting at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street until Wednesday, August 1st at 9:30am. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Julia Catholic Church, 251 Glenridge Avenue on Wednesday at 10am. Cremation to follow the service with inurnment at a later date at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Vigil Prayers for Bill will be recited in the funeral home on Tuesday at 3pm. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. If desired, memorial donations in Bill's memory to the Bethlehem Project or Distress Center Niagara would be appreciated by the family.