William J. Miles

William (Bill) John Miles passed away peacefully on February 4, 2021 at the age of 85. Having struggled for years with COPD and more recently with colon cancer, Bill’s last wish was to spend his final days at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg. Bill’s family is grateful for the staff of Agrace Hospice for helping him pass in comfort and with dignity. Bill was born at home in Portage, WI, January 30, 1936. At 17 he determinedly joined the Air Force that took him to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS, and Fort Snelling in Worthington, MN. Bill’s happiest memories of his service are of his time in Nagoya, Japan. It was here that he found his strength in radar operations and enjoyed training Japanese personnel. More importantly, it was in Japan that he met his first wife Yoshiko Inoue who preceded him in death in 1989. Together they had five children, Terry Miles, Timothy Miles, Michael (Monica Nadolny) Miles, Tammy (Mike) Braun, and Patrick (Marykay Wills) Miles, all of whom survive him. Bill had a variety of careers. He was among the first WI Drivers License Examiners (his badge number was 90) after the state took over from the counties. His proudest boast as an examiner was that he passed Hank Aaron when he test drove with Bill for his WI driver's license back when Mr Aaron was with the Milwaukee Braves. Bill knew the streets of Milwaukee like the back of his hand after spending a couple of years as a city bus driver. For a time, he also worked at the former Badger Ammunition Plant. After a severe back injury at the plant, he became an accountant and later a tax preparer. It was during his time as a driving license examiner he met Joan Marquardt. Joan became Bill’s second wife and together they had two children, William (Billy) Miles who preceded him in death and Diane Paradowski. Joan preceded Bill in death this past summer after 50 years of marriage. Bill moved to Madison several months ago to be closer to several of his children. But the Milwaukee area was home to him. In their retirement, he and Joan enjoyed the many summer festivals and the food and music they offered. They also enjoyed relaxing in parks near the lake. And they were blessed with wonderful neighbors, Barb & Kevin Schlax, who cared for them both whenever they needed help around the home, groceries from the store, or just a companion who cared enough to sit and listen. Bill had a soft spot in his heart for his pets over the years. He told fond memories of his childhood dog, Micky. He was devoted to Bibbs and Jasper. After the loss of his last dog and no longer able to care for them, he enjoyed sitting and chatting with his parakeets. In addition to his surviving children, Bill is survived by his loving sister Mary Pedersen, nephew John (Carol) Baird, grandchildren Terry (Tina Schlueter) Miles, Jr., Naomi (Larry Detlor) Raidy, Kelly Golke, Travis (Samantha) Richards, Seth Paradowski, Dana (Nolan) Bratt, Christie Paradowski, Derek, Yoshiko (Ethan Kramer), Luca, Koji, Benjamin, Sarah and Matthew Miles, and great grandchildren Maddie Miles, and Riley and Maverick Richards. Bill was also preceded in death by his father, Jesse Miles, mother Elizabeth (Betty) Miles (nee Condon), sister Ann Bailey, and granddaughter Jessie Hope Paradowski. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated. Due to COVID-19, to keep everyone as safe as possible, especially our at-risk attendees, the family asks that masks be worn at all times. The visitation will be Monday, February 15, 2021 from 12:30 - 1:00pm followed by the Memorial Service which will be held at 1:00pm at Wisconsin Memorial Park Cemetery, 13235 W Capitol Dr. Brookfield, WI 53005.