William “Bill” Charles Miller passed away peacefully on April 25, 2023. He was born to Mark and Fern (Cooper) Miller in West Conshohocken, PA and was their middle child. He attended Conshohocken High School through grade 11 and strongly desired to serve his country, so in 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the young age of 17. After completing basic training, he departed the U.S. Naval Receiving Station in San Diego, CA for Korea. Bill spent the duration of the Korean Conflict as a Seaman First Class with most of his time serving aboard a Landing Ship Tank, (LST), where his duties included providing logistical support for the various U.S. Marine/Infantry Divisions fighting in Korea, routine mine-sweeping runs of Inchon Bay, and participating in prisoner of war exchanges.
Bill remained in the U.S. Naval Reserves at the cessation of the war and was honorably discharged on October 21, 1959. For his participation during the Korean Conflict, he received the National Defense Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Ribbon and Korean Service Ribbon (Three Stars). Also, while in the U.S. Navy he attained a Naval In-Service High School Equivalency to complete his education. He was employed as an Offset Pressman Helper at New Hope Press while serving in the reserves. He continued to work as a lithographer and master printer for many union and non-union companies, which included work for Topps Trading Cards and NASA's Gemini /Apollo Programs.
It was at T.A. Winchell Printing Co. in 1953 where Bill met the love of his life, Helen Schmidt, a twenty-year-old secretary who worked at the same company and his hook was set. They began dating, fell in love, and married in 1955. Bill and Helen had four children, Suzanne, Denise, William, and Thomas. Though their marriage was not permanent and ended in 1991, they always remained very supportive of their children and family.
Bill retired in 1985 to Potter County, Pennsylvania where he found “God’s Country” and lived with his beloved dogs “Precious” and “Rudy.” He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to go fishing and hunting on the farm with his children and grandchildren. Woodworking was a favorite hobby and he made lovely furniture and specialty pieces. Grandkids spent many hours painting his creations, never wanting to leave the shop. Recently Bill and Rudy moved to Schwenksville to live with his son, Thomas, who provided exceptional care each and every day.
Bill is preceded by his mother Fern, father Mark and brother Bud. He is survived by his former spouse Helen Miller, daughters Suzanne Royce (husband Michael) and Denise Miller, sons William Miller and Thomas Miller, grandsons Michael Royce Jr. and Thomas Anderson, granddaughters Jenna (Royce) Vogels, Carissa (Anderson) Cordero, and Kaeley Miller and sister Joyce Pettine (wife of the late Michael Pettine Sr.). Bill also has eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held privately for the family. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Veterans Coalition of Pennsylvania, 500 N. 13th St., Reading, PA 19604 or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.