Bill Miller

Alvin William Pistorius 'Bill Miller', 80, of The Woodlands, TX died Monday, Nov. 10, 2003, at his home from cancer. He was born August 25, 1923 in Carlinville, the son of Alvin and Laura Pistorius. He married Stella Margaret Stapleton in 1950 in New Berlin. Mr. Miller was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois in 1949 and was awarded the Bronze Tablet and the Phi Beta Kappa Key. He was director of news at WTAX radio and later managed the Capital Information Bureau. He was a journalist for 25 years and later director of the Public Affairs Reporting program at Sangamon State University. He retired in 1993 as professor emeritus. He was president of the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association in 1965. He won the Edward R. Murrow award in 1966. He was president of the Sangamon Valley chapter, Society of Professional Journalists in 1979. He received the First Amendment Award from SPJ in 1982. In 1986, he received the First Amendment Award from the National Center of Information Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. In 1989, he was named Illinoisan of the Year by the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. He was later named the first recipient of the INBA’s Bill Miller Distinguished Service Award. In 1998 he received the James Craven Freedom of the Press Award from the Illinois Press Association. He was a co-founder and charter member of INBA, the Illinois Freedom of Information Council. He was a committee member of the Illinois Governor's Prayer Breakfast for many years. He emceed the Illinois County Fair Pageant for 35 years. He was a charter member of Christ the King parish and grand knight of Knights of Columbus Council 4179. He was an active member of the Springfield YMCA and helped spearhead its annual membership drive. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, William Edward Miller He is survived by his wife, Stella; three daughters, Nancy Pistorius Buecker, Cindy Wieties-Ogren and Mary Pistorius Zerfas; one son: Bill Pistorius; eight grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home from 3-7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2003. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 3:00 p.m. Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2003 at Christ the King Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to The Bill Miller Scholarship Fund, c/o Mr. Ben Kiningham, Statehouse Press Room, Illinois Capitol, Springfield, IL 62706. Checks may be made payable to the University of Illinois Foundation (to benefit students in the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois, Springfield); The Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) Foundation (to help Radio and Television students at Illinois colleges and universities); or the American Cancer Society, 1305 Wabash, Suite J, Springfield, IL 62704. The family of Alvin William Pistorius “Bill Miller” is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.