William Edwin Miller ’55

Bill died Nov. 30, 2024, in Arvada, Colo. He was a veteran geologist and petroleum landman, well-known for years in vintage car racing circles for driving his Hertz Shelby Mustang B Production race car both in races and back and forth to events hours away.

Bill was born Sept. 26, 1933, in Tenafly, N.J. He graduated from Tenafly High School, where he participated in publications. At Princeton, he majored in geology and joined Elm Club. He won minor numerals in freshman 150-pound crew and was a member of the German Club. After graduation he enlisted in the Marines and served for two years. He married Judith Ann Haselton, and they moved to the Denver area. He became a geologist and took up what was to occupy his life: the restoration and racing of old cars.

Bill’s most notable acquisition was his beloved 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350H, a race car that Hertz, back then, would lease or sell you if you could demonstrate that you were able to drive it around the block. Bill eventually put 232,000 miles on it. He was a skilled racer on circuits and streets for 39 years, seldom missed a race, and is the only person to have raced all 15 of the Steamboat street races.

In addition to racing, Bill loved gardening, going to jazz clubs, and fishing. He taught his family to always persevere, never give up.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Judith; and son, William Charles Miller III. He is survived by his long-term companion, Mary Sue Powell; daughters Pamela and Lynnda; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother Don; and sister Judith.