Walter Edward Miller Jr.

Asheville ~ Walter Edward Miller, Jr., 18 year resident of Asheville, died peacefully August 11, 2006 at the Asheville Veteran’s Administration Hospital. He was cared for with skill and tenderness by the hospice staff of the VA during the last few months of his life. A husband, father, grandfather and respected Human Resources professional, we will all miss the sparkle in his blue eyes that was backed by a truly warm and caring gentleman. Those who knew him, take with them lessons for life from a devoted family man who always behaved with the utmost integrity. Mr. Miller was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 16, 1923, the second son of Walter Edward Miller, Sr. and Ora Ilene Lacy Miller. On his 20th birthday, Walter married his childhood sweetheart, Carol Ann Collier. Carol was the love of his life and his amazing life partner. Together, they had three children, Susan, Scott and Clifford. While their family grew up, Walter and Carol pursued professional advancements moving from Ohio to California and then Hawaii. A January, 1941 graduate of Lakewood High School, Mr. Miller went on to college at Fenn College/Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. After WWII, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1948. He also completed academic work toward a MBA at Western Reserve University in Cleveland. During WWII, Mr. Miller honored his country through his service in the Army. He served in the European Theatre, 3rd Army, 80th Division, 317th Infantry as a Platoon leader during the Battle of the Bulge. Special decorations received during WWII include the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, American Theatre Service Medal, European Theatre Service Medal with 2 clusters and the WWII Victory Medal. A career that began prior to WWII, continued upon his return from active duty. The Cleveland plant of the Aluminum Company of America is where Mr. Miller progressed from Metallurgical Technician to Personnel Assistant and finally Director of Training. Being offered the opportunity for growth and advancement, Mr. Miller moved to Anaheim, California in 1952 to joint Kwikset Locks, Inc. as Director of Industrial Relations. In 1957 he moved to Don Baxter, Inc. of Glendale as Director of Employee Relations and in 1958, Mr. Miller joined Hughes Aircraft Company of Culver City, California as Manager of Industrial Relations. The “call of the islands” took Mr. Miller to the Bank of Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1968, where he was the Vice President and Director of Human Resources prior to his retirement in 1988. This time of professional growth also included a very active life in community and professional organizations where he accepted and honored leadership roles bestowed upon him. Professional affiliations included: Personnel Industrial Relations Association, Kiwanis, Toastmasters, American Society of Personnel Administration, Western College Placement Association, American Bankers Association Personnel Committee and the Hawaii Employer’s Council. Mr. Miller began his community involvement in Cleveland as a Board of Education Director and continuing on to local Chambers of Commerce, a Trustee of St. Andrew’s Priory School and Board of Directors of 40 Plus in Honolulu. Mr. Miller had a lifelong relationship with the YMCA serving in leadership capacities in Santa Ana, California and Honolulu, Hawaii. The Goodwill Industries honored him with a special award in 1979 for his work as the Hawaii Chairman of Projects for Industry Program, a joint effort of the US Department of Labor and the Goodwill. He is a past President of Goodwill Industries of Honolulu. Mr. Miller and his wife, Carol retired in 1988 and moved to Asheville. Mr. Miller enjoyed his retirement pursuing his interest in woodworking, refinishing many treasured pieces of furniture for family and friends. He was an active member of the local Watch and Clock Collectors Association and became an avid and competitive bridge player. He became a baptized member of the Episcopal church. A life member of the Huguenot Historical Society, Mr. Miller was proud to be a descendant of French Huguenots who came to America in the late 1500’s. His family includes Elias Hasbrouck, who served in the Revolutionary War. Family members preceding him in death are his beloved wife Carol, parents Walter and Ora Miller and brother George Winfield Miller. Surviving him are his children, Susan, Scott and Clifford and grandchildren, James and Jessica. A memorial service will be held in Asheville at St. Giles chapel on the campus of Deerfield Retirement Community, 1617 Hendersonville Road, on Wednesday at 3:00 P.M. Internment will take place at a later date at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Ohio. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road, Arden, NC is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Miller’s family would like his memory honored by donations to Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803.