William Henry Miller
November 18, 1919 — January 4, 2006
William H. Miller, 86, formerly of Ryan, Iowa died Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at Manorcare Health Center in Cedar Rapids following a lengthy illness.
Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2005 at St. Patrick?s Catholic Church in Ryan. Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Friday at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Manchester and from 9-10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Ryan with military rites by the Ryan American Legion.
William was born November 18, 1919 in Worthington, the son of Henry W. and Mary (Lutmer) Miller. He joined the United States Army on October 24, 1942. William was stationed in North Africa in March of 1943 and later transferred to Italy. He was involved in heavy combat, especially during the siege of Rome during the Italian campaign of World War II. He was praised by his comrades as a "great soldier, one whose loyalty and devotion are seldom surpassed.? On July 26, 1944 William stepped on a landmine and lost his right leg and eyesight. He received rehabilitation at Avon, Connecticut and Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. where he met his future bride. On August 16, 1945 William was united to Mae R. McAreavy in Dyersville. The couple settled in Dyersville where William raised horses and operated several small businesses. In 1963, they moved to Ryan and farmed until retirement in 1995. In 2002, William & Mae moved to Manorcare Health Center in Cedar Rapids. Mae died March 2, 2005.
William was a member of St. Patrick?s Catholic Church in Ryan. He was a lifelong member of the Ryan and Dyersville American Legions, Knights of Columbus. William was always upbeat about life and found a way to accomplish the task at hand. His sense of humor was felt by many people.
Survivors include four children, David (Joyce) Miller of Ryan, Dennis (Mary) Miller of Cedar Rapids, Darla (Steve) Stepanek of Manchester and Duane (Barb) Miller of Cedar Rapids; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Louise Schulte of Santa Clara, CA; and a brother, John Miller of Dyersville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry & Mary Miller; his wife, Mae Miller; two brothers, Nick & Fredrick Miller; and two sisters, Rosella Hildebrand & Marie Whiting; two grandchildren, Janice and John Miller.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ryan Veterans Living Memorial, Camp Courageous or the Ryan American Legion.
Please sign our online guestbook for William at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2005 at St. Patrick?s Catholic Church in Ryan. Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Friday at the Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Manchester and from 9-10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Ryan with military rites by the Ryan American Legion.
William was born November 18, 1919 in Worthington, the son of Henry W. and Mary (Lutmer) Miller. He joined the United States Army on October 24, 1942. William was stationed in North Africa in March of 1943 and later transferred to Italy. He was involved in heavy combat, especially during the siege of Rome during the Italian campaign of World War II. He was praised by his comrades as a "great soldier, one whose loyalty and devotion are seldom surpassed.? On July 26, 1944 William stepped on a landmine and lost his right leg and eyesight. He received rehabilitation at Avon, Connecticut and Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. where he met his future bride. On August 16, 1945 William was united to Mae R. McAreavy in Dyersville. The couple settled in Dyersville where William raised horses and operated several small businesses. In 1963, they moved to Ryan and farmed until retirement in 1995. In 2002, William & Mae moved to Manorcare Health Center in Cedar Rapids. Mae died March 2, 2005.
William was a member of St. Patrick?s Catholic Church in Ryan. He was a lifelong member of the Ryan and Dyersville American Legions, Knights of Columbus. William was always upbeat about life and found a way to accomplish the task at hand. His sense of humor was felt by many people.
Survivors include four children, David (Joyce) Miller of Ryan, Dennis (Mary) Miller of Cedar Rapids, Darla (Steve) Stepanek of Manchester and Duane (Barb) Miller of Cedar Rapids; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Louise Schulte of Santa Clara, CA; and a brother, John Miller of Dyersville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry & Mary Miller; his wife, Mae Miller; two brothers, Nick & Fredrick Miller; and two sisters, Rosella Hildebrand & Marie Whiting; two grandchildren, Janice and John Miller.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ryan Veterans Living Memorial, Camp Courageous or the Ryan American Legion.
Please sign our online guestbook for William at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Henry Miller, please visit our flower store.