William D. "Bill" Miles

Born August 28, 1938 in Lake City SC, Bill moved to Columbia SC at an early age where he graduated from Columbia High School. Bill was blessed with the opportunity to enrich the lives of 3 families through God’s grace and healing. His first wife of 23 years, Ann Miles, passed away with cancer in 1981. During that time, Bill was challenged with the task of raising their 3, “venturous” sons. After her passing, he met Mary Charles Amick and enjoyed another 16 wonderful years until her passing from cancer in 2002. His influence grew with Mary Charles and her 2 children Gina & Scott Amick. His work, through God’s hands, continued with the marriage to Nancy Perry of Vero Beach Fl where they experienced 50 years of living in just 6 short years until Nancy’s passing from ALS in 2007. Again, his family grew with the addition of Nancy and her children Jim (TN), Chris (FL) and Jo-Ellyn (TN). For the remainder of his life, he’s enjoyed the love and companionship of his wonderful life partner, Kathleen Glenn, and her boys Nick & Jeremy.

Bill served in the US Navy from 1959-1962 where he became fascinated with computers and their potential which led him to obtain a degree in computer science from Midlands Technical College. Bill’s corporate life included employment by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of SC, Seibels Bruce Company, and Policy Management Systems Corporation (PMSC) through his retirement in 1997. Bill was an avid real estate investor beginning in the late 70’s until his passing.

Bill is mostly known for his prominent presence in the South Carolina music community since the 1960’s where he was a founding member of the beach/RB group, The Persians. This band was acknowledged by the “Beach & Shag Museum” in Myrtle Beach as one of the best bands in the southeast. He filled in occasionally on bass with Bill Pinckney & Drifters. He played with several bands throughout his life until he and other great musicians were inspired to form the band Heart ‘N Soul in 2008. He and this group of selfless musicians used their God Given talents to raise money for the local community. They have donated all proceeds to the tune of more than 3.5 million dollars to charities around the Midlands.

Bill touched the lives of many people, especially his large family through his strength, love, guidance, mentoring and devotion.

Bill was predeceased by his father, Thurman Miles, mother Lola Mae, sisters Molly Mathews, Ruby Lee Cameron and Nancy Hooker. Bill is survived by his partner of 13 years Kathleen Glenn; brother Temus Miles of Scranton SC, Sisters Eileen Filyaw of Coward SC, Miriam Wise of Scranton SC, Linda Stone of Pamplico SC, Janice Courtney of Fort Mill SC, Margaret McAllister of Scranton SC, his three son’s Danny Miles, (Suzanne) of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Tommy Miles (LeAnn) of Lexington SC, Andy Miles of Jupiter, FL; grandchildren Danna Miles Heydorn (Sean), Jessica Reeves Bechtold (Michael), Jessica Miles, Alex Miles, Lily Miles; and great-grandchildren, Oliver & Harper Heydorn and Mikey Bechtold.

A visitation for Bill will be held Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 5:30-8:00 pm at Dunbar Funeral Home located at 3926 Devine St, Columbia SC 29205. A celebration of life will occur Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, 1205 Old Cherokee Rd, Lexington SC 29072. Masks will be required as we do not want any more families to experience this type of loss.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to The Heart 'N Soul Band Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2142 Boyce Street, Suite 402, Columbia, SC 29201. or online at the following link: https://cccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1561