Willard N. “Bill” Miller, 100, of Troy, Ohio, passed away peacefully at Upper Valley Medical Center on January 5, 2018.

Willard was born in Troy on September 15, 1917 to Glenn and May Iddings Miller. After graduating from Staunton High School in 1935, Willard met the woman he’d be married to for nearly 70 years: Betty Brown. Willard and Betty married in 1939 in Erlanger, Kentucky, later adding three children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren to their wonderful family.

Willard owned several tool and die businesses in Dayton, including Martin, Miller and Adamson Tool and then Kemp Tool, and later worked as the plant engineer at Phillips Industries in Dayton. He enjoyed all things mechanical and analytical, tinkering with tools, and found great joy in craftsmanship.

Willard was a longtime member of the Troy Elks Club, achieving the title of District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. He was also a Master Mason, serving for 71 years. Later in life, Willard became president of the Troy Senior Citizens Center, where he and Betty enjoyed playing cards for hours on end. The game enthusiast’s famous grumble was “I haven’t played a card yet!” But to his family and friends, he goes out with a heart - and he sure did play his cards right.

Willard proudly lived all 100 years of his life in Troy. He was a regular at the Elks and the Troy Fish & Game and like many Troy natives, he always loved a hamburger from K’s. Following his 100th birthday, Willard received a proclamation from the Ohio Senate celebrating his incredible life and legacy as both a Troy resident and Ohioan.

Willard was preceded in death in 2009 by his wife Betty, his parents Glenn and May Miller, his sister Thelma Layer and his brother Harold Miller.  He is survived by his children, Ted (Dottie) Miller, Kathy (Bill) Folck, both of Troy, and Tinsi (Keith) Kline of Grand Blanc, Michigan. Seven grandchildren; Michele (Fred) Bundy, Aaron (Nancy) Miller, Andy Miller, Wendy Folck, Stephanie (Kyle) McIntosh, Jennifer (Steve) Monnin and Jeffery (Monica) Haulman, as well as seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Paul Miller of Indiana.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 12 at Baird Funeral Home, 555 North Market Street, Troy. Willard will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery following the service.  The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, January 11, 2017 at the funeral home with Elks Lodge of Sorrow Service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County, P. O. Box 502, Troy, OH 45373 or Troy Senior Citizens Center, 134 N. Market Street, Troy, OH 45373.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.

 Service Information