OBIT: William Atwood "Billy" MILLER, 1943, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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________________________________________________

WILLIAM A. MILLER

William A. Miller, 12, Civilian Defense Messenger, Was First War Fatality in 
Meyersdale

Burns and Shock Received in Line of Duty, At the Time of A Statewide Blackout, 
Resulted in the Untimely Death of One of the Community's Outstanding Boy Scouts 
- Local Organizations Turned Out in Reverence at What Was Probably the Largest 
Funeral For a Juvenile Ever Conducted in Meyersdale

  Because of his eagerness to serve his country in the war job assigned to him, 
little Billy Miller met an untimely death as the result of burns and shock 
received in an accident on the night of the recent statewide blackout.
  William Atwood Miller, aged 12 years, 5 months and 11 days, son of Carl A. and 
Lulu (Speicher) Miller, died in the Wenzel hospital at 3 o'clock last Saturday 
morning and his remains were laid to rest in Union Cemetery Monday afternoon.
  The conditions surrounding the untimely passing of this beloved Boy Scout 
cause community-wide bereavement, for his death may well be termed Meyersdale's 
first fatal World War No. 2 casualty.
  Little Billy Miller had retired early last Thursday evening but when the 
blackout alarm was sounded he jumped hurriedly into his clothes, intent on 
reaching his post as a messenger on the local Civilian Defense Council.  
Although Billy's ambition was to fly one of Uncle Sam's big bomber planes, he 
was content and eager to do well the job in home defense that had been assigned 
as his part in the country's war effort.
  To reach his post Billy took a shortcut through the alley at the rear of the 
Chevrolet garage.  At the intersection of Clay Street he attempted to hurdle a 
deep trench where workmen had been making repairs on the steam heating mains.  
In doing so he slipped and tumbled backwards into the six-foot excavation where 
steam and hot water were escaping from the pipes that carry the heat to the 
business places in the center of town.
  E. L. Donges, owner of the Meyersdale Heating System, upon hearing the 
blackout alarm, sent the workmen to the power plant nearby but he himself, 
remained on duty as an air-raid warden in the vicinity of the excavation on Clay 
Street.  The red signal lights stationed about the deep trench were extinguished 
in compliance with the rules of a blackout.
  Upon hearing the approaching youth, Mr. Donges attempted to halt him, but 
Billy shouted, "I'm a messenger and must get to headquarters."  After the boy 
fell into the deep hole, Mr. Donges helped him to climb out and wanted to take 
him home, but Billy said, "I'm all right," whereupon he tore loose from Mr. 
Donges and continued on his way.
  At the Main and Center Street intersection he passed Officer J. A. Brocht, but 
did not go far until he returned and said, "I'm sick," then collapsed in the 
officer's arms.
  As the officer was carrying the unfortunate little hero to his home on Grant 
Street he said, "Do you care if I cry," and Policeman Brocht assured him he had 
no objections.  But, the brave little soldier stifled the tears and did not 
complain of the excruciating pains suffered.
  Dr. J. W. Wenzel was called to the Miller home to administer to the youth.  On 
Friday, as his condition grew worse, he was removed to the Wenzel Hospital, 
where he died at 3 a.m. Saturday.  His death was caused by second degree burns 
and shock.
  During the time his remains lay in state at the parental home, hundreds of 
adults and children called to pay their respects.  The casket was encircled with 
forty-six beautiful floral pieces sent by organizations and individuals.  
Besides being a messenger in the local Defense Council and a member of Boy Scout 
Troup 142, Billy was active also in juvenile church groups.  He was the 
librarian in the Zion Lutheran Sunday School and a member of the Junior Choir.
  Billy Miller had a very likeable personality.  He was an ardent reader of 
books on aviation.  His favorite pastime was building model airplanes, and he 
knew practically every type and model of plane made by the various 
manufacturers.  He had an exceptionally alert mind, ambitious and full of 
energy.  Long before he was eligible to join, he attended the regular meetings 
of the Boy Scout troop and took an active part in civic welfare work done by 
this group of boys.  He was a model Scout, obedient to his parents and teachers, 
and ever ready to do a good turn for anyone.
  In addition to his parents, William Atwood Miller is survived by a brother, 
Teddy R. Miller, aged nine, a sister, Caroline, aged eight, and a step-sister, 
Miss Elaine Speicher, a nurse in a Cumberland hospital.  Also surviving are his 
paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William W. Miller of Large Street, and his 
maternal grandmother, Mrs. Minnie Speicher of Salisbury Street.
  Funeral services were conducted at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in Zion Lutheran 
Church by Rev. R. S. Dunkelberger, D.D., assisted by Rev. DeWitt L. Miller, 
pastor of the Church of the Brethren.  The pallbearers were members of his Boy 
Scout Troop, accompanied by an escort representing both local Boy Scout Troops 
and the American Legion.
  Practically all of the different units of the local Defense Council were well 
represented at the funeral.  Also in attendance was Clarence M. Sanner, chairman 
of the County Defense Council and several other persons from Somerset 
representing the County organization.
  Interment was in Union Cemetery under the direction of W. C. Price & Son, 
local morticians.

Meyersdale Republican, January 21, 1943