Atty. Wilford R. “Wil” Miller, 93, a lifelong resident of Dover died Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 at Park Village in Dover following a period of declining health.
Wil was a practicing attorney for 49 years and partner with the former Miller & Kyler Law Office in New Philadelphia until his retirement in 2002. He also previously served as a Prosecuting Attorney in Tuscarawas County and in 1981 was appointed as attorney and counselor for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Born July 10, 1928 in Dover, he was the son of the late Marvin R. and Helen (Medam) Miller. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo “Jody” (Peoples) Miller who died Nov. 11, 2004.
He was active in the community and had many interests. He previously served on the Dover School Board and the Starlight Board. He was a member of the former Dover Elks Lodge, member and Past Master of the Tuscarawas Masonic Lodge in Dover, Scottish Rite Valley of Canton and the Tadmor Shrine. He was also a member of the Tuscarawas County and Ohio Bar Associations.
He was a 1946 graduate of Dover High School, graduated in 1951 from Cleveland State University, and received his law degree from Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He proudly served his country in the US Army during both World War II and Korea. His children said of him, “after a respectable military duty and a storied life in the law profession, we have all agreed that hands down, dad’s greatest legacy to his family was his gentle kind temperament exemplified by his loving devotion to his wife of over 50 years as well as his moral character and admitted fallible human nature. We loved him so!” Wil enjoyed music and previously played drums in the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra and in the Marvin Miller Dance Band. During his retirement years, he decided to learn to play the xylophone. His favorite pastime over the years was traveling with family and friends, as well as attending his children’s school activities and sporting events. He was an avid sports fan of the Dover Tornadoes, OSU Buckeyes, and the Cleveland sports teams.
He will be sadly missed by his four children, J. Todd (Nora) Miller of Leland, North Carolina, G. Robin (Vickie) Miller and W. Jed (Machelle) Miller both of Dover and Dr. Molly Jo Miller and husband, Reed Heitmann of Lone Tree, Colorado along with nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, his brother, Eugene D. “Dube” Miller of Dublin, Ohio and his longtime companion, Joann Deems of Dover and formerly of Dennison.
At his request, he will be cremated. A private family graveside will be held at a later date in the Dover Burial Park that will include masonic services followed by military graveside honors. There are no calling hours. Those who may wish to express a fond memory of Wil and sign the online guestbook can visit the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one’s favorite charity.
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Toland-Herzig Funeral Homes & Crematory
803 North Wooster Avenue
Dover, Ohio 44622
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com