William V. Miller M.D.
William V. Miller M.D. died at home on November 9, 2021 after a long illness. He leaves his wife, Jeanne W. Miller, four children, Joyce Miller of New Orleans, John Lucas Miller of Austin, Daniel Lee Miller and Mitchell Wilmes Miller, both of Saint Louis and four grandchildren, Wyeth, Sadie, Cassidy, and Georgia.
Doctor Miller left his mark on blood transfusion safety and availability, and upon the transplantation of tissues and organs. His research included post-transfusion hepatitis, platelet transfusion, and transplant immunology. He was best known, though, for his administrative expertise and throughout his career he was involved in startup organizations and difficult institutional turnarounds.
He was educated and trained at the University of Missouri, the University of Rochester, and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center where he served as an officer in the United States Public Health Service. He served as professor of Pathology at St. Louis University Medical Center, where he was Director of Clinical Labs and Medical Director of the Saint Louis Cord Blood Bank. He held clinical faculty appointments at Washington University School of Medicine. He was CEO of the American Red Cross Missouri Illinois Region, CEO of BloodCare in Dallas, then CEO of the Blood Center of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. After a brief retirement he returned to the University of Missouri Medical Center as Professor of Pathology and Director of Clinical Laboratories.
Doctor Miller served as Chairman of the FDA Committee on Blood and Blood Products at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He Chaired the American Blood Commission, America’s Blood Centers, and served countless other voluntary positions.
His passions were making music with his banjo and guitars, racing and cruising his sailboats nationally, photography, restoring cars, everything from a Packard to Corvettes, and travel. He was an invited speaker in many nations in Europe, South America, and Asia.
A memorial service will be held in the Spring of 2022.
Donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders or to the University of Missouri Medical School Foundation.
Bill was very special to me. I realize that more now that he is gone. He was a brilliant man who has done unbelievably good things for this world. Despite his intellectual prowess, him and I would often “verbally spar” with one another. I considered it somewhat of a challenge to make him laugh. However, I would often hear him chuckle which was followed by his infamous smirk. In the end, I took this as a win. He was brilliant, but humble, and he never looked down on anyone. He once told my parents, “She needs to write something, something difficult.” Those words have echoed in my mind on several occasions, long before his passing. One day, I intend to heed Bill’s advice. I will write something, something difficult, and something that will make him proud.
I have sailed and raced sailboats with Bill for many years…Great Guy !
I loved his passion for details.
Going to miss his character and brilliance.
Farewell Skipper of Sail # 73262
I’l always have fond memories of our conversations about guitars and everything that goes with them. My best to all of you.
He will be so missed by many in so many walks of life. His contributions to so many things will be treasured for MANY yearsIIIII