Wilfred T. Miller

Wilfred T. "Bill" Miller

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, 4775 SW 21st, for Dr. Wilfred T. "Bill" Miller, 84, who died Friday, Nov. 26, 2004 at home, surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 26, 1920, in Winfield, to Paul and Ruth Hull Miller and grew up there and in Star City, Ark. He graduated from Winfield High School and attended Southwestern College. He was a veteran of World War II and served with the 11th Armored Division in Europe. He attended Shrivenham Army University in England, received a bachelor of science degree from Kansas State University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Oklahoma in Norman. He was a Senior Psychologist at Central State Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, Okla., where he was responsible for development of the childrens service and then became director or treatment. Subsequently, he was the chief psychologist of the Child Guidance Center of Houston, and then returned to K ansas as chief psychologist of the Kansas Treatment Center for Children at Topeka State Hospital. He worked there for 24 years as an administrator, teacher and supervisor in the pre-doctoral internship in psychology, and as a child and family therapist. He was also a consultant at several mental health centers and was a member of the faculty of the Menninger School of Psychiatry. Upon retirement from Topeka State Hospital, he was employed at Family Service and Guidance Center part-time and in private practice. During 1990 to 1992, he was a volunteer psychologist in the community of Golfito, Costa Rica, and a visiting professor at the University of Costa Rica. He was an Emeritus Member and fellow of the Kansas Psychological Association, life member of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, and member of the American Psychological Association. In 1991, he was given special recognition by the Kansas Psychological Association for "his leadership in the area of continuing e ducation." In 1992, the hospital and community of Golfito, Costa Rica, honored him with a ceremony and plaque in appreciation for his work as volunteer psychologist. He was given the Unitarian Universalist Association Prairie Star District Social Justice Award in 1999 "for his many dedicated and tenacious justice-making efforts in his Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and in the City of Topeka, Kansas" He was cited for his leadership in facilitating a "dialogue on overcoming racism, for volunteering in Golfito, Costa Rica, for helping rebuild a burned church in Dillon, South Carolina, and for advocating for needed services for people with severe mental illness and for equal mental health insurance coverage." He married Genevieve Massad in 1952. She died in 1978. He married Esther Read in 1992. She survives. Other survivors include two sisters, Joann Ramsdale, Hacienda Heights, Calif., and Peggy Snyder, Bowling Green, Ohio; two sons, Michael Miller and Joh n Miller, Pittsburgh; a daughter, Linda Traw, Jennings, Okla.; two granddaughters, Stephanie and Holly Miller, both of Pittsburgh; and a grandson, Andrew Traw, Jennings, Okla. Cremation is planned and inurnment will be in Rochester Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Childrens Religious Education Program or the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, 4775 S.W. 21st, Topeka, 66604. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.