William “Bill” D. Miller, 81, a lifelong Haverhill resident, sports writer and community activist, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Friday, Feb. 27 at the Holy Family Hospital at Merrimack Valley.
Born in Haverhill, Dec. 18, 1933, he was the son of Frank P. and Agnes (Quirk) Miller and twin of the late Frank P. Miller II, who died in 2008. He attended St. James Grammar School and was a graduate of Haverhill High School, class of 1951. He excelled in high school sports and was the City Tennis Champion of 1949. He began his lifelong love of writing for the Brown and Gold High School Paper. He attended Merrimack College, where he was captain of the tennis team, and after two years he enlisted into the U.S. Army. A Korean War Veteran, Miller proudly served from 1953 until being honorably discharged in 1956. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant for his outstanding service performed during his time of duty.
A Lifelong Community Servant
Bill Miller’s WHAV press pass.
Miller was very active in the city that he loved. He was owner and operator of the Miller Real Estate Agency and played crucial roles in development. He served as the president of the Haverhill Lion’s Club in 1961 and he was instrumental in Haverhill’s hosting the very first exhibition game, the newly formed Boston Patriots which was played at Haverhill Stadium in 1960. He was an ultimate Red Sox fan and true sports enthusiast. His knowledge of local and national sports was limitless. He wrote and reported for various organizations such as the Haverhill Journal, WCCM, and most recently WHAV, reporting from Florida on the Red Sox spring training and new prospects for more than 40 years. To hear some of Miller’s reports, visit WHAV’s archive page here.
For many years Miller also served as the president of the Haverhill Cable Commission and once ran for Mayor in 1971.
He enjoyed morning coffee at Mark’s Deli solving world problems with his cohorts. Having a great sense of humor, he was the master of the bad joke. He loved time spent with his nieces and nephews, and was most proud of walking his grandniece down the aisle on her wedding day.
He married the love of his life, Madeline, in 1956. They met at a dance at St. Joseph’s hall. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Madeline P. (Nagle) Miller; loving nieces and nephews, Laurie Miller-Inglese, Paul Miller, SuSu Miller, Timothy Miller, Tara Miller-Dyal, Mark Miller, Kathy Nagle, Julia Dorci, Kerry Boniauto, Tricia Daley, Elizabeth Nagle, Brian Meagher and Lee Ann Ferguson; grandnieces and grandnephews; brother-in-law, Frederick Nagle and his wife, Juliet, of Haverhill; and Patricia (Ambrose) Miller, also of Haverhill.
Friends and family are invited to call Monday, March 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will be Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. in the Funeral Home. Burial is private. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226.
Bi mller was a lfe long friend, having shared his office space with burke bevelaqua in riverside. a good guy a huge loss