William C. Miller

William C. Miller, 82, of Washington, PA passed away August 24, 2022, in Allegheny General Hospital after an eight-year battle with Myasthenia Gravis.

“Bill” was a larger-than-life character who enjoyed life to its fullest.  He was the first-born son of the late William C. Miller and Stella Pryzstup. He was the loving older brother of Ronald C. Miller (Gloria Burnett) of Bridgeville, PA and the late Sandy Rozance Miller.

Bill spent much of his life in Washington, PA growing up in the small coal mining town of Arden.  He had many fascinating tales of his life as a child living with an entire town of Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins, which made for much laughter, love, and mischief.  During his early years he developed a love for both softball and golf.  He played softball for the Arden Athletic Club, Frank’s Auto Body, several traveling teams most of his adult life.  When he could no longer play he coached the Jetcraft softball team.  In his youth Bill would also walk or take the trolley to the Washington Country Club to Caddy.  His passion for the sport of golf also never waned.  Throughout his life he played in many area leagues: Fort Cherry, Village Green, Lone Pine Country Club, and even traveled all the way to Ireland with his cousin Randy Mathura to golf.

In 1958 Bill graduated from Chartiers Houston High School, where he met the love of his life, surviving wife, Rosemary Havanis, whom he married on January 9, 1960.

After graduation Bill joined the United States Airforce where he was stationed in Cheyenne WY and later North Africa.  He had planned to make a career of the military as a communication specialist; however, life had other plans and Bill was called home to care for his ill father.

Life wasn’t always easy for Bill and Rose, but they had a strong work ethic and a desire to give a better life to their two daughters Jolene (David) Forgie and Monique “Nikki” (Bill) Sutton.

Bill’s employment experiences at Federal Box, Molybdenum, and Coll Tire were only preparing him for his role as the North American Sales Manager for Merchant Tire, which later became American Tire.

Bill and Rose traveled the world visiting many countries by air and sea.  He had a constant thirst for knowledge and adventure; seeing and learning about new and old things alike gave him great pleasure.  You may think all this made for a fulfilling happy life, but what brought Bill the greatest joy, what mattered most to him in the entire world, was being surrounded by his grandchildren: McCall, Carlee, and Jordan Forgie, Tanner, and Haley (Scott Betts) Sutton.  He would shout their accomplishments and successes to anyone who would listen.  His love for his family was selfless and knew no bounds.  He and Rose made not one, but two beautiful homes for their family to visit and enjoy, in Washington and Hilton Head Island, SC.  He ensured his family wanted for nothing with every ounce of his being.  No amount of time, money, or distance kept him from those he loved.  His happiest days were Sunday dinners with fifteen or more people where he would hold court telling stories and laughing for hours.  Everyone was always invited and the more the merrier.  Their annual Christmas Party for family and friends was legendary and loved by many nieces and nephews – Uncle Bill was always everyone’s favorite.

Bill never met a stranger.  With a gregarious personality his love and kindness for both man and spread far and wide.  He treated his pets as children even going so far as to carry his beloved Beau Beau in a basket on his bike or a carrier strapped to his body.  He would embarrass his son in laws with such ridiculous antics, but he could have cared less because he just loved that dog.

Bill was a typical guy when it came to one thing – cars.  He admired them from an early age.  He may not have always had the best car, but you can bet it was the cleanest. His last love was his 1965 Shelby Cobra.  Unfortunately, time and health were not on his side and his enjoyment of this beauty was very short lived. He would say at least once a week in the past few months, “I hope this new treatment works so I can golf again and drive my car.”  Neither event ever happened.

No longer able to maintain his two homes in Hilton Head, and Washington he was forced to move to something smaller and maintenance free.  He found a new set of friends and neighbors in Arabian Meadows, where he and Rose would sit on the front porch and wait for them to all walk over and talk.  This new community took Bill under their wing and would get his mail, trashcans, water his flowers, and even help put up his Christmas decorations.  You name it and someone showed up to do it.  Their kindness was so greatly appreciated over these last few years.

Many people come in and out of your life; some make a lasting impression.  Bill Miller had a life well lived.  If you were fortunate enough to have had the pleasure to know him, you now understand when his family, with great sorrow, will tell you than a light went out this day and there is a hole in all our hearts.

The family invites you to share in a celebration of life open house from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Saturday,  3, 2022 at Napoli Restaurant, 2112 Park Place Dr., Washington, PA 15301.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America 290 Turnpike Rd., Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581, or the Washington Area Humane Society, 1527 PA-136, Eighty Four, PA 15330.