William E. Miller “beloved storyteller”
CUBA, NY---William E. “Bill” Miller, 97, of Cuba, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2024, after a short illness, in the care of his loving daughter, Kay Reynolds.
Born on Thursday, December 30, 1926 in Olean, Bill was the eldest son of Edwin and Beatrice Jordan Miller. He graduated from Portville High School.
On December 20, 1947, he married Nancy Wagner, who passed away on January 6, 2008. He was a talented storyteller with a larger than life personality. He was first a self-employed farmer, starting while he was still in high school and never completely gave up this occupation. He was employed by the former Gramco Feed Company and the former Line Material in Olean. He later sold insurance for John Hancock Life Insurance Company. He lastly was employed as a successful outside sales representative for Kraft Foods until he retired after 25 years of service.
During World War II, Bill was to be called to duty, but during a visit from the military it was decided that his time would better serve his country on the farm. He proudly helped all his children raise and sell their own herd of cattle to fund their further educations. Bill also hatched, raised, transported, and sold thousands of chickens in a partnership with his brother, Richard. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed taking family fishing vacations in Canada. He owned and piloted his own airplanes. He very much enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren compete in a variety of sports, and was a fan of the Buffalo Bills. He was a member of Portville Lodge #579 F. & A.M.
He is survived by his sister, Carol (Robert) Kordish of Hilton, NY; two sons, Kurt (Carolyn)Miller and Keith (Lori) Miller, both of Cuba; two daughters, Kay (Joe) Reynolds of Little Genesee and Karen (Dave) Todd of Olean; ten grandchildren, Robert, Brian, and Brent Miller, Melissa Rice, Grant Reynolds, Heather Muhyee, Mitchell Todd, Shanna Miller, Kerry Roets, and Kane Miller; nineteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his loving wife, Nancy; younger brothers, Richard and Norman; and a granddaughter, Tara Todd.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, 79 Brooklyn Street, Portville, at 2pm on Sunday, April 14, 2024, with Pastor Gerald Zimmerman, officiating. A dinner will follow the service. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Portville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name may be made to Shriners Children’s Erie, 1645 W. 8th Street, Erie PA 16505 or to Homecare and Hospice of Western NY, 115 E. Main Street, Allegany, NY 14706.
Bill’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Bill, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
