Retired Scotia Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief William “Bill” Reed Miller: 1936-2015

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Retired Scotia Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief

William “Bill” Reed Miller

1936-2015

Bill was born February 3, 1936 in Gold Beach, Oregon, and said goodbye to all his friends on July 27, 2015 at the age of 79.  

Descended from Oregon pioneer families including his great-grandfather John McBride who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh in 1863 fighting under Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Reed Miller who settled in Gold Beach area along the Rogue River in the 1880’s leaving behind many descendants throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California.

He was the son of Edwin “Ted” Miller and Sadie Wells Miller, brother of Edwin Miller and Juanita “Suzy” Miller Taylor all who have predeceased him. He is survived by his brother Leroy Miller, sister-in-law Avon Miller and numerous nieces and nephews including members of the Colvin and Bauer families. He is also survived by his close friends Carlo and Linda Millsap, Pat and Marge Millsap, Samantha Millsap Green and family and Mike Bushnell.

Bill graduated from Port Orford High School in 1954 and served in the United States Navy from 1954-1958 as a hospital corpsman attached to a Marine division in Japan, Okinawa and the Philippines. He worked at The Pacific Lumber Company from 1961-1998 in Scotia and served in the Scotia Volunteer Fire Department for 32 years, living the entire time as a resident in the Scotia firehall, rising to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.  Bill taught many new members the ropes during his tenure and will always be remembered as being patient and kind. Bill will be dearly missed by the Scotia Volunteer Fire Department.

Bill was an avid sportsman, often fishing with his brother Bud throughout the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Alaska and hunting with many of his good friends.

A memorial service is planned for September 12th at the Scotia Firehall at 10:00 a.m.