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 athletic director who was known for his fairness, compassion, and love for his students, who somehow seemed to appear 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 to horseshoes in the driveway to repairing anything and everything that could be fixed. All who knew Bill loved him for his kindness, his humility, his quiet way of showing he cared just by showing up.

The son of the late William and Vera (Little) Miller, Bill was born in New Haven, Connecticut on August 23, 1935. He graduated from Newton North High School where he won the Massachusetts State Tournament for track and field in the discus event. Never one to talk about himself, his family only learned of this accomplishment a year ago. He attended Boston University where he received his bachelor's in physical education as well as his master's in athletic supervision-administration. Bill served in the Army National Guard as a platoon commander and physical reconditioning officer before being honorably discharged in 1967.

Bill started his teaching career at the Hastings School in Lexington where he taught and coached from 1961-1972, 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, MA 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 Belmont's Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics where 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. For six weeks each summer Bill entertained his children and their neighborhood friends with boat excursions to local islands, beach football games, ice cream trips in the back of the truck, and lunches on picnic rock in front of their cottage.

From 1998 until his passing 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. The humor, humility, compassion, and quiet, steady presence that characterized his first 63 years continued through Bill's retirement.

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 be holding a private interment at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to the West Suburban YMCA, 276 Church Street, Newton, MA 02458, where he achieved the rare status of lifetime member after 50 years of continuous membership (https://wsymca.org/donate).

Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.