William R. Miller CBE KStJ

Dear Friends,

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of longtime supporter of St. George’s Society, William R. Miller CBE KStJ.

Bill served as President of the Society from 2001 to 2003 and remained a member of the Society’s Advisory Council until his passing. Under his presidency, the Society founded what is now the Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden—of which he was Chairman Emeritus. 

Bill was a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, rising in the ranks at Pfizer before moving on to what is now Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 1985 until his retirement. 

Bill was a noted philanthropist. He was Chairman of the American Fund for Westminster Abbey, a Board member of Americans for Oxford, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and an Advisory Director of the Metropolitan Opera. He has also served on the boards of a wide variety of organizations including the English-Speaking Union, St. Paul’s Cathedral Trust in America, Manhattan School of Music, and Opera Orchestra of New York as well as the Vestry of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue.

In 2000, he was appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty The Queen for services to British charities in the US, then subsequently appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to UK/USA relations in business and philanthropy in 2011. 

He was awarded The Order of St. George’s Society in 2007 for extraordinary service in furtherance of the Society’s mission and more recently, he was selected to receive the Medal of Honor at the Society’s 250th Anniversary English Ball, which was scheduled to take place in April this year but unfortunately had to be canceled due to the pandemic.  

Bill was an extraordinary leader and stalwart within the Anglo-American community in New York. He will be greatly missed by all.

Sincerely,

Frank E. Morgan II
President
St. George’s Society of New York