William R. Miller

William R. Miller, age 96, of Fairview, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at home with his wife by his side.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 16, 1928, the only child of the late William A. and Claudia Ballagh Miller. He often described his Brooklynn childhood as idyllic, walking to school and playing stickball in the street with friends and spending a month each summer in a beach cottage on Long Island.

He received his undergraduate and his master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He interviewed prospective MIT students well into his 90s and remained class VP/Secretary until the very end. MIT has never had a prouder or more devoted alumnus.

Bill served as a Captain in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and in the reserves for several years after.

Bill started working for General Electric while still in college and, after he left the Air Force, took a job with GE that brought him to in Erie in 1955. He later joined AMSCO, eventually becoming VP of R&D. He then left Erie for a few years to work as Chief Tech Officer at Welch Allyn in NY. After that, he consulted and started a few businesses. He always enjoyed his work and never showed any interest in retiring.

Bill lived life to the fullest and had many interests and pursuits. He was a published author, writing books in a variety of genres including histories and, most recently, children's books. He held over twenty patents and enjoyed inventing things. He dabbled in painting, wrote poetry, limericks, hymns and ballets, letters to the editor and guest columns in newspapers and magazines. He loved sailing and boating and playing cards, history, genealogy, chess and model-making. He was fascinated by the way that small changes in events could result in big changes in outcomes for societies. He loved to travel and to dance and to throw parties. And he was always active in charities and nonprofits in his community, including spending many years working at and serving on the Board of and as Treasurer of Erie Metro Meals on Wheels and volunteering as a guide at the Erie Maritime Museum.

Most of all, Bill cherished his role as husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia Malc Miller; two daughters, Claudette Miller and Kathleen Mele; a niece, Marlene Wilson; and two grandchildren, Dante and Violetta Mele. His stepdaughter, Elizabeth Dwyer, preceded him in death.

Bill was the consummate gentleman and a self-professed pollyanna. He will be much-missed and remembered fondly by family and friends for his cheerful attitude, self-amusement, quick wit, warped sense of humor, generosity and great advice.

Friends may call at the Asbury United Methodist Church 4703 W. Ridge Rd, Erie, PA 16506 on Thursday, March 27th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. followed by Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels Erie at 4408 Peach St, #102, Erie, PA 16509.

Arrangements are under the care of the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc, West Ridge 3801 W. 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com