The Publisher
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Jan 2, 2010, 7:10 AM
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EIGHT BELLS: William L. Miller Jr.
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William L. Miller Jr. (Bill), musician, teacher, husband, Father, sailor passed on Dec. 9, 2009 at the age of 85. A long battle with Leukemia finally took its toll... after serving in Navy during WWII on board two ships, one of which was the USS Missouri where part of his duties were to provide live music for the troops. His instrument of choice was the Trombone so music, sailing & family became the driving force.
When coming back to Denver, CO afterwards, the question was how do you keep four young sons busy during the summer & winter? As a lifelong teacher of Jr High School students he started a ski club within the school which led to becoming a member of the National Ski Patrol at Arapahoe Basin ski area. At one point there use to be a Ski / Sail spring weekend race. So starting in the mid 60`s sailing became a family focus as well. I remember OK Dingys, Lightnings, Butterflys, and Snipes, but the one that sparked a fancy for him and started his becoming a major supporter & competitor was in the International Fireball Fleet.
Serving as Commodore of the America`s, Bill traveled from Canada to Florida and to both Coasts as well and many lakes and adventures in between. Of his four sons, three still own and sail these boats. He managed to continue his adventures in the Fireball until just 4 years ago at the young age of 81. I know his presence will be missed by all those that knew him. Services occurred Dec. 30th in Denver. Surviving are his wife and shore crew Topsy, sons Mark, Jeff, and Paul & extended sailing family around the nation and world.
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