Necrology
Because Hamilton Remembers
Walter Jonathan Miller, Jr. '41
Nov. 10, 1917-Dec. 28, 2006
Walter Jonathan Miller, Jr. ’41, who spent most of his working life in the textile industry, was born on November 10, 1917, in Brooklyn, NY. The son of Walter J. and Grace Freeman Miller, “Jon” Miller grew up in Cranford, NJ, and came to the College in 1936 from Cranford High School. He joined Psi Upsilon, went out for basketball, and earned letters in baseball. He was graduated in 1941.
Briefly employed by the General Electric Co. in Bridgeport, CT, before he entered the U.S. Army in 1942, Jon Miller remained on active duty for four years through the end of World War II. Commissioned as an officer in 1943, he was assigned to Camp Irwin in the Mojave Desert of California as a gunnery instructor. He subsequently served for six months with the occupation forces in Japan and attained the rank of first lieutenant.
After his release from the Army, Jon Miller went back to work at GE in Bridgeport, but in 1947 he returned to his hometown of Cranford, where he later became a deacon, elder, and moderator of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church. He found employment with a small, well-established woolen fabric firm, Worumbo Manufacturing Co., in New York City. It was later taken over by J.P. Stevens & Co. As a textile stylist for menswear fabrics, he remained with Stevens in New York City for 32 years until his retirement in 1983.
Almost immediately thereafter, Jon and his wife, the former Barbara G. Hansen, whom he had married on March 26, 1949, in New Brunswick, NJ, moved from Cranford to Hendersonville, NC. There they engaged in a variety of volunteer activities and in community service projects. They also enjoyed travel, “Elderhosteling,” golf, bridge, and tennis. In addition, Jon Miller served as an official swimming timer for the Senior Olympic Games.
W. Jonathan Miller, Jr., an ever-faithful and supportive alumnus, died in Hendersonville on December 27, 2006. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by a daughter, Carol Bardon; a son, Jeffrey H. Miller; and three grandchildren.
Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.
Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu
The Joel Bristol Associates
Hamilton has a long-standing history of benefiting from estate and life payment gifts. Thoughtful alumni, parents, and friends who remember Hamilton in their estate plans, including retirement plan beneficiary designations, or complete planned gifts are recognized and honored as Joel Bristol Associates.
