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William (Bill) Miller
May 22, 1939 - July 28, 2020
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In his 81st year William (Bill) Livingstone Miller passed away in Oliver BC. Bill was born in May 1939 in Kilsyth Scotland and was the son of John and Jane Miller and brother to John of Guelph. Bill joined the Merchant Navy and trained to be a radio operator. When was taken on ship he became a steward instead. It did not matter to him; he was now travelling the world in a time when that was the purview of the rich and famous. Bill sailed on Pacific & Orient ships that did the Britain- India- Australia run. During the Suez crisis his ship transited the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and he enjoyed the view of Tabletop Mountain and the delights of Cape Town
In 1960 Bill emigrated to Canada, settling in Kitchener. He worked for Electrohome initially and then was hired at the KW Hospital in the ambulance department. That is where he met the love of his life Sandra Francis Cragg She was a young nursing student at the college there, and she loved how he looked in his white uniform. They married in 1962 and had two children, Scott Andrew and Jeffrey Cragg.
Bill worked for IBM doing repairs on the Selectric typewriter and photocopiers for over 25 years. When they offered early retirement, he took it, but got bored and returned to work in the parts department. He did this for a few more years and said that this was his favourite time at IBM.
Bill always had a love for the sea and owned a sailboat called “Piece o’ Mine” in Ontario. He docked it beside the famous “Red Green” of duct tape and TV fame. Even after selling it he and Sandra would visit friends they met in Hamilton during those years. Later, they would take to cruising and they did so many times that they were made members of the line’s frequent Cruiser club. Bill and Sandy also enjoyed travelling around the world and made friends wherever they went. They loved Cozumel the most and wanted to return there at some time.
Predeceased by his wife Sandy in 2019, Bill kept himself busy with family, walks and cruises. His final cruise was a trip to New Zealand for a 14-day sail around the islands. He was planning another cruise with his son Scott to the Panama Canal but was interrupted by the pandemic of 2020.
Bill was a wonderful husband to Sandy and perfect father for Scott and Jeff. He took his obligations seriously and always dressed neatly in his black shorts, shirt and Panama hat. He loved shopping and meeting dogs on his route making sure he always had treats in his pockets, just in case.
We will miss you dad. Thank you for taking care of Sandy, Scott, Jeff, your daughter in law Denise, and grandsons Hunter and Blake. You can rest now with Sandy.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
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From: Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium
Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: John Miller
Relation: Bill was my uncle
Scott, Jeff, Denise, Hunter and Blake, our deepest sympathies on the passing of your father and grandfather. We have many fond memories of Bill and will miss his charming and charismatic presence. He was a wonderful host and It was always a delight visiting with Bill and Sandy. I remember enjoying the fruits of his labour in the kitchen and the first home brewed beer that he poured me. He will be dearly missed and I have always been proud to call him my Uncle Bill. Please know that our hearts and thoughts are with you now and always.
John, Lorie, Sean and Elizabeth
From: Audrey Silbernagel
Relation: Wine industry colleague, acquaintance.
Sending my deepest sympathies to Jeff, Denise, Hunter, Blake, and all family.
I met Bill many years ago at the Inniskillin Winery on Road 11. He was such a genial and likeable man; I learned that he was filling in as chef at Nk’Mip Cellars in Osoyoos so that Jeff could have a few well deserved days off. I was fortunate to meet Sandra as well, and it was nice to run into both of them over the years in town. Such a loss.
From: John Ryrie
Relation: We lived across the road in Kitchener for 20+ years.
August 22, 2020
Scott and Jeff
It was with considerable sadness that we read of your father’s recent death. As you will – I think – understand, Marg and I have been essentially out of touch with Bill since he and Sandy moved to British Columbia to be closer to both of you. On the one hand, it was wonderful to read about all of Bill’s background (most of which we were unaware- e.g. that he was a sailor with a boat out of Hamilton) and of his activities since the move – all of the travelling and keeping dog treats on hand on his walks. On the other hand, we were doubly saddened to learn of Sandy’s death last year, about which we were unaware, presumably because we missed any notice that may have been published.
We have some great memories of living across the street from your home – meals and various conversations over the years with both of your parents, some of them beside or in your wonderful backyard pool. One of the most vivid memories we have of your Dad was the evening we phoned him to come over and look at the 8 puppies that our first golden, Tanya, had given birth to in a large plywood box in our living room. Bill has keen to see the newborns, who looked more or less like torpedoes or squirming hairy thin sausages. We were chatting in our kitchen with Bill when Tanya hopped out of the box to greet Bill and make friends, notwithstanding her litter of 8 that needed her attention. She then proceeded to start licking her vulva and shortly thereafter delivered a 9th puppy (!) right on our kitchen floor. This was not what you Dad had come over to see, and I remember him being somewhat grossed out by the unexpected birth. We all had a good laugh about Tanya’s tactless lack of decorum; when we had phoned Bill, we thought Tanya had delivered her whole litter, which as it turned out she had not.
My other memory is that Sandy was the very first person to greet us when we arrived in September of 1979. She walked across the road, enquired who we were (I was unloading a car in our driveway), and then make us feel very comfortable in the neighbourhood – very very kind of her.
I doubt if we will be out to B.C. any time soon, despite having a good friend (former KCI teacher) living just outside of Seattle. It is consequently unlikely we will have an opportunity to reconnect with the two of you, which is a shame. All we can really do is say again that we very much appreciated our friendship with your Mom and Dad over a considerable number of years and feel considerable loss at knowing they are no longer with us.
Best wishes, John and Marg Ryrie, still in Kitchener
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Flower Fantasy Flowers & Gifts Inc.
6049 Main Street, Oliver, BC
https://www.flowerfantasyoliver.com/
Local: (250) 498-0088 Toll free: (844) 498-0088
Flowers on Main & Reis Boutique
5859 Main Street, Oliver, BC
https://www.oliverflorist.com/
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Gems and Stems at Eastside
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Polka Dot Door Floral Design Boutique
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(250) 495-2226
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