[February 2, 1948 – Feb. 7, 2021]
William D. Miller, Jr., a retired business manager of Portland-based IBEW Local 125, passed away Feb. 7, a week after turning 73. Miller was living in Maricopa, Arizona, at the time of his death. An obituary has not been published, and no further information is available.
Miller, a journeyman lineman in construction, started working as a Local 125 business rep in 1976. He was elected business manager/financial secretary in 1983. He served in that post until his retirement in June 2005.
Miller was deeply involved in helping stop deregulation of the utility industry in the ’90s. He also fought to regain 401(k) pension losses for PGE employees following the collapse of Enron. That included providing testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.
As business manager, Miller hired Elizabeth (Liz) Shuler, first as an organizer, then as communications director and later as a lobbyist. Shuler is now secretary-treasurer of the national AFL-CIO.
