Bill will alwaus be rembered by his felliw football teammates as an extreme competitor. As a defensive tackle he made many stops against opposing running backs in critical situations. His determination motivated all of us. Later, as we contued on from high school, Bill always kept in touch, and qas devoted to helping boys who needed a father figure in their lives in New York City. Bill During



Enzo,
You’re forever in my heart. I still feel your loss deeply, and I always will. 
Enzo

Bill and I met in 1976 at a party on Manhattan’s West Side, celebrating the American Bicentennial. We clicked right away, and spent the next 44 years being extremely close friends and brothers in life. We shared a great many experiences and life milestones: marriages, births, special occasions, vacations, friendships; and we cherished a mutual love and respect that remains eternal. The last visit we shared in Sept, 2019 was poignant and very heartfelt, given his worsening illness, but I’m grateful to have had that personal contact one last time. RIP, my dearest friend and brother.

 I loved Bill's uncompromising positive energy. We ran 1995 NYC marathon together. I fed off his Peter Pan fizz that day and on many others too. No question you were the coolest Uncle I was very lucky to have had. Lots of love to you Kristen from all of us Goodmans in UK. Bill's in my heart x

I wrote from my soul when I eulogised Bill on my Facebook page April 22.  He was my closest, dearest friend for decades, and we shared much of the prime of our lives in New York, when we both lived in Manhattan, and later, when we both lived in Park Slope. He had many friends, as did I, but I will  cherish his memory as a loving brother in spirit, if not in blood, and as a guy I admired and tried to emulate. I have my deepest, enduring affection for my two sons—and then there’s “Enzo” (Bill). Rest in peace, my brother. You’re in my heart.

The thread through all of the touching tributes to Bill was how much he loved others and was loved.  to quote the Queen after 9/11 attacks 'Grief is the price we pay for love.'
Bill was loved by so many of us and there is grief.

As I connect with my sister Kristin and struggle to offer meaningful comfort – I can see what rings true is the love, connection and support from the many who will continue to be present for her in the years to come.  

John, my condolences to you and your family - we have not met, but I loved your analogy of the ‘contact sheet’.  It jumped out as a perfect visual for Bill’s multi-dimensional life.  In my mind, what fills a lot of slots on that sheet are pictures of him in motion.  Upon his PD diagnosis, he didn’t hesitate to face it head-on and filled his days bicycling in the park, speed walking, hours in gym, dancing and boxing.  I would often tell him how humbled I was in the face of his strength.

Let us continue to fill the contact sheet with memories and cherish the pictures that capture Bill’s essence.  And I know he would want us to pick the ones with the sweetest light.
Jennifer

Kristen I am so very sorry about lovely Bill.  I know he was deeply loved by so very many and most of all you.  Of course you know my favorite memory is also one of my happiest accomplishments, aside from my children: introducing you both  in what you guys affectionately referred to as the Debbie Grossman Geriatric Dating  Service.  You were  the DGGD’s biggest success. 

Bill was so talented in his art and so very kind  -just one of life’s wonderful people.   I’m so very sorry your devastating grief and loss comes during  this time of isolation when being together with all who love him would  be a balm. Sending you much love and hugs . X 

To: Kristin, family, friends of Bill Miller. I had the good fortune of meeting Bill at Staples High School. We played football together and he helped build a team that was in the top 5 of Connecticut. But most important, I remember Bill for his heart and compassion for life. Our mutual friend, Jim Soroka shared these qualities. Now, they are together in heaven. Billy During #32.


My brother Bill, ace photographer in pre-digital times, used to shoot thirty-six exposure rolls of film, sometimes two rolls, on a single subject.  When asked, Bill would explain to me how he would then print out all these shots on one ‘contact sheet’ and pick out the photograph which best captured the essence of what he was taking.   

I was reminded of this when my wife Diana and I watched the video of a memorial service put together by his men’ group on Zoom, many small vignettes and sometimes actual photos showing the many facets, the many aspects of my brother.

My own personal contact sheet would include not only the times Bill shared his profession with me, but also snapshots across the years from when we lived in New York until our last visit with him in October 2019.  Each shot would be different, each shot capturing the essence of Bill.  As said in the main obituary, Bill was truly an unforgettable Renaissance man:  here are a few additional pictures of his life  - sailor, teacher, organiser, hiker, traveller, the boy who for many summers went to the first or at least one of the first interracial camps, the host with the famous or infamous blue sofa, the man who could unabashedly ask pertinent and impertinent questions. 

We can truly say Bill lived a rich life and we carry in our hearts our visions and memories of him!

John and Diana


Bill and Kristin were often with us for Thanksgivings in NJ, where Bill had his annual Manhattan cocktail.  Although my brother-in-law was no big drinker...he sure could eat!  It must have been the fresh country air in NJ.  

Thanksgivings will not be the same without him but we will toast with our Manhattans in his honor. 

The Channell Family 


My cousin Bill was a fighter.  He was born, prematurely, in June, 1947, and given no chance to survive, but grew up strong.

As kids, Bill and his brother John were younger brothers to me.  We visited regularly with other, often for extended times when one set of parents or the other were unavailable.   Our mothers, Dorothy and Rikki, were respective surrogate mothers to us.  We regularly had Friday night dinner at our grandmother’s.  Bill, John and I rode the entire New York City subway system, and spent hours in Bill’s Riverside Drive apartment recreating portions of it with blocks and Brio.

Bill, John and I reconnected several years ago, including a memorable lunch at Ben’s Delicatessen, during which we looked back at our childhoods and parents with adult perspective.
 
Our hearts go out to his wonderful wife Kristin, who brought him much love and happiness.

Steve and Pam

 

I remember Bill as a devoted husband, committed bicyclist and photographer and with Kristen, a great host. He also had a dry sense of humor.  One night we shared about his Parkinson community as a meeting of movers and shakers. He got a kick out of that.

I knew Bill as a devoted husband, committed bicyclist, photographer and with Kristim, a great host. He also had a dry sense of humor. We spoke one night of his Parkinson's community as a meeting of movers  and shakers. He rather enjoyed that.

My brothers asked me ‘so how's Johns brother?’ and I said, having crashed on his sofa throughout the summer of ‘93 ‘he’s very cool.’ He fast became the Uncle we always wanted. Warm, caring, concerned and lots of fun. The Goodman’s will miss you Bill. 

OBITUARY

William E Miller

June 8, 1947 – April 18, 2020

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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