William “Bill” Miller
1945-2022
With great sadness, the family of William V. Miller III of Nictau, New
Brunswick, announces his passing on October 3, 2022. Bill was born
August 17, 1945, in Plaster Rock, NB, to Bill and Wilma (Clarke)
Miller.
He is survived by his sister Julie McCrum, husband Martin of Aiken, SC
and his brother Jim, wife Bonnie, of Holyrood, Newfoundland.
Nephews, Gregory and Jeffery McCrum and their families. He will
be dearly missed by Aunts, Margaret and Carol, cousins of both the
Miller and Clarke families, and numerous friends throughout the
world.
Bill was a master canoe builder, following in the footsteps of his
grandfather, William (Vic) Miller. Vic established this business
in 1925, making Miller Canoes the oldest canoe company in Canada.
These models were used to carry sports and their gear into
remote hunting and fishing camps. Bill built a new model the
Chickadee that served a younger generation with lighter and more
sleek lines. He delighted giving tours of the shop, sharing tall
tales, strong opinions, and lure of canoes. He thoroughly
enjoyed teaching the art of canoe building. His love of travel
found him personally delivering his handcrafted canoes to new
owners all over the continent.
Bill’s love of music established ‘Fiddles on The
Tobique’ which continued for 25 years. This event welcomed
thousands for a weekend of canoeing, traditional fiddle music, food,
and fun. In acknowledgement for this contribution to the
community, Bill was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Metal in
2012.
Bill was a US Navy veteran. His love of the outdoors brought
International Appalachian Trail hikers to his door. His nature
photography of the four seasons was shared to many visitors
throughout the province. He was a member of the Order of Masons, The
Wooden Canoe Heritage Association, Friends of Mount Carleton, and
Ducks Unlimited.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the
Tobique Valley Community Health Center and Edmundston Regional
Hospital for their care and kindness in caring for our brother during
his final illness.
Visitation will take place from the Tobique Chapel, Plaster Rock, NB
on Thursday October 6, 2022 from 1-3 pm. A memorial service will
follow at 3:00 pm. The burial will take place in the Riley Brook
Community Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers we request donations in his memory
to Friends of Mount Carleton or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brunswick Funeral Home,
Perth-Andover and Plaster Rock, NB.
>Click here to View Condolences
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill Miller 19452022..
Death notice for the town of: Plaster Rock, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
English
French
Spanish
Punjabi
Italian
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
German
Portuguese
Russian
To Julie and Jim, I am shocked and saddened by Bill’s death. As a longtime friend of the Bear family he warmly embraced me and my husband Darryl, just as his parents, Wilma and Bill had done. We always stopped to visit every time we canoed the upper Tobique, and were always greeted with warm hospitality and stories galore. It is sad to think that unless other Miller descendants come to maintain the property and the business, his passing will mark the end of an era nearly a century long.
My deepest condolences, Andrea Bear Nicholas