William R. Miller (Bill), 89, of Bedford, died peacefully with his wife and daughters by his side on June 23, 2025.
To many, he was Mr. Miller, the teacher and Belmont athletic director known for his fairness, compassion, and love for his students. He appeared at every game and had every coach’s and player’s back.
To his friends, he was Bill, always ready with a joke, a smile, “it might be wise” advice, or his snowblower or chainsaw to help anyone in need. To his family, he was Dear, Dad, Grampie, Gramp, and Captain. He was no less than the rock in our lives, there for everyone as he was for his students. We counted on him for guidance, for humor, for stability, for a boat ride along the coast of Maine, for horseshoes in the driveway, and for repairing anything and everything that could be fixed. All who knew Bill loved him for his kindness, humility, and quiet way of showing he cared.
Bill was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on Aug. 23, 1935, son of the late William and Vera (Little) Miller. He graduated from Newton North High School, where he won the Massachusetts State Tournament for track and field in the discus. Never one to talk about himself, his family only learned of this accomplishment a year ago. He attended Boston University, where he earned his bachelor’s in physical education and his master’s in athletic supervision-administration. Bill served in the Army National Guard as a platoon commander and physical reconditioning officer, being honorably discharged in 1967.
Bill started his teaching career at the Hastings School in Lexington, where he taught and coached from 1961 to 1972, and where he met his future wife, Joan Philbrook. On June 23, 1963, the gym teacher married the first-grade teacher. They started their family in Stow before moving to their house on Gray Terrace in Bedford, where they remained until Bill’s final day.
In 1972, Bill became the assistant director of physical education, health, and athletics in Belmont. In 1974, he was promoted to director of physical education, health, and athletics. He spent the next 24 years advocating for students, athletes, and coaches while instilling the values of fair competition, humility, and grace. Under his supervision, multiple new sports were added, including several for girls, and over 35 teams won Middlesex League titles, state divisional titles, or state titles. In 1994, Bill was named District B Athletic Director of the Year.
Always the family man, Bill negotiated to work six days a week most of the year so the family could take an extra-long summer vacation in his favorite place, Tenants Harbor, Maine. Each summer, Bill entertained his children and their neighborhood friends with boat excursions to local islands, beach football games, ice cream trips, and lunches on picnic rock in front of their cottage.
Starting in 1998, Bill turned his energy and enthusiasm for life to tending his yard, entertaining his grandchildren, and endless projects around their houses in Bedford and Tenants Harbor.
Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years to the day, Joan Philbrook Miller of Bedford, daughter Pamela and son-in-law Jake Brown of Sudbury, daughter Amy and son-in-law Jay Lichtenstein of Franklin, son Christopher of Arizona, and five grandchildren, Max and Jack Lichtenstein, and Jansen, Noah and Riley Brown.
The family will hold a private interment at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made in Bill’s name to the West Suburban YMCA, 276 Church St., Newton, 02458, where he achieved the rare status of lifetime member after 50 years of continuous membership., (wsymca.org/donate).
Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
