William Miller

William Miller

April 28, 1944 - September 02, 2023

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Obituary

William (Bill) Kent Miller, 79, of Platteville, Wisconsin passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Bill was born on April 28th, 1944, in Norman, Oklahoma, son of Delbert and Caroline Miller. He was united in marriage to Rolita Persenico, the love of his life, on September 28th, 1991. 

Bill grew up in Columbus, Nebraska and loved to spend time with his grandmother, Edith. He was an athlete, playing football and baseball, and spent his summers working at the city pool. He always had a love of adventure and fondly recalled road trips with friends to neighboring states. Bill went to Hastings College, played football and baseball, and studied philosophy. He went on to get graduate degrees in Psychology in Denver, Colorado and joined the Army Reserves where he served proudly for six years. As a young man, Bill loved to ride his motorcyle, play guitar, golf, and gather with friends. He also found his love and passion for helping others. 

Bill traveled to Wisconsin after his graduate program and started working at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he taught for 45 years in the Psychology Department. He also started a counseling clinic called WKM Psychology Clinics in 1981 that still serves Southwestern Wisconsin and was the Director and President for over 40 years. Bill wrote:

"I always aspire to show compassion, understanding respect for my clients' feelings and needs. My goal for each of my clients is to develop a helping relationship with respect and understanding."

His love and passion for America, Harleys, guns, hunting, Packers, Huskers, and a good beer was known by all. He was also a fan of telling stories about his adventures like going to Sturgis, bike trips with the guys, his glory days in the band Two of a Kind, and shooting guns at the range or in the driveway with family and friends. 

Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, counselor, professor, uncle, mentor, and friend. He will be deeply missed by many. Bill is survived by his wife, Rolita; his five children Caroline (Matthew) Beidler, Bradley (Autumn) Miller, Robin (Tim) Hocking, Jeff (Beth) Rateike, Chad (Sharon) Rateike; twelve grandchildren, Michael (Jami) Hocking, Joshua (Nichole) Hocking, Jessica (Chris) Phelps, Rachel (Nathan) Bird, Isla Miller, Tyler Rateike, William Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Brent Finley, Elisha Schultz, Violet and Henrick Beidler; great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Reid, Maddox, Emma, Arrington, Brantley, Xavier, Isabella, and Maci. He was preceded in death by his parents: Delbert and Caroline Miller; and his grand daughter Olivia. The family would also like to acknowledge the amazing staff of WKM Psychology Clinics, including Cheryl, Heather, Jan, and Gabby, along with all of the students he mentored over decades of teaching.

A private service at Melby's Funeral Home was held for family and close friends on September 6th, 2023. 

 

 

Lonely rivers flow / To the sea, to the sea / To the open arms of the sea, yeah / Lonely rivers sigh / "Wait for me, wait for me" / I'll be coming home, wait for me 

- from Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers

 

 

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MM
Mike & Sue Myers
Other •
We had the pleasure of knowing Bill during our time working for Bob Velzy at the Timbers. We shared some good times with him.
KR
Kristina Reuter
Other •
I was so Happy that they both were able to come to my wedding!! He was my counselor for about 20 years and he was the best ever!! I will miss him immensely! Prayers going out to all his family and friends during this time.
VG
Valerie Gill
Other •
Bill was a wonderful neighbor and friend. My husband Leonard and I are out of the country and we we are so sorry to hear of Bill's passing and miss his service. I saw him only a few days before we left and he seemed in good spirits. We would often hear his gun shots through the woods as he would target shoot from his driveway. We would say, "That is Bill". We will always treasure our neighborhood parties with Bill and Rolita. Bill was always up for a party. He came to our home last Halloween as Kenny Rogers. They hosted the last winter neighborhood party in January. Bill was always so good to our son Shannon--paying him too generously to shovel snow. It will also be a special memory that they came to our son's high school graduation during Covid (a neighborhood gathering as the school's was online) and came over for graduation dinner when family could not due to Covid restrictions. Bill will be deeply missed.
LM
Lisa Mowbray
Other •
Bill left a lasting impression on me. I had him for a couple classes when I was at UWPlatteville; he guided me to pursue my degree in social work. Wonderful man who will be missed.
LA
Lu Ann
Other •
Much love to Rolita and the whole family. It sounds like he was a very special person.
MS
Michael Steckling
Other •
Dr Miller was my professor, advisor and a huge inspiration to me at UWP in the 80s/90s. I always loved his personal antidotes, stories and Psychology club gatherings at his home. We remained friends, and later on he was gracious enough to invite me to rehearse and gig with his musical duo many times. He will be greatly missed.

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