William Warner Miles – Yeoman First Class, United States Navy

MILES, WILLIAM WARNER (Age 82)

William Warner Miles, 82, of Arlington, Virginia, died Monday, August 20, 2001, in Richmond, Virginia.

Bill was born at Hallwood on Virginia’s Eastern Shore on July 31, 1919, the only child of the late Lawson James and Leone Margaret Parks Miles. He was a veteran of World War II, having volunteered for the United States Navy on December 8, 1941, and having served until October 1945, when he was honorably discharged as a Yeoman First Class. He was a member of the crew of the destroyer escort U.S.S. Loy, and was a regular attendee of the crew’s reunion until his declining health forbade it.

He came to Arlington after the war and raised his family there. For many years, he was the proprietor of M & M Upholsterers, a small business in the Ballston neighborhood.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Mildred Miles of Arlington; by two daughters, Carol A. Donohue of Richmond and Jill L. Miles of Charleston, WV; one son, William W. Miles, Jr., of Richmond; by three grandsons, Nicholas M. Donohue and Timothy W. Donohue, both of Richmond, and Lawson P. Knisely of Charleston and by one granddaughter, Julia E. Knisely of Charleston. He is also survived by a large stepfamily, including two stepdaughters, Jewel D. Laveau of Laurel, MD and Carolyn L. Seemann of Leesburg, VA; and three stepsons, Joseph S. Carter, of Lake Meade, PA, Jimmy D. Carter of Arlington and Kenneth R. Carter of Dale City, VA.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Johnston Miles, on March 4, 1966.

In his youth, Bill was badly injured in the collapse of a freight elevator in Newport News; all of the car’s other passengers were killed. The event proved to be a signal one, because his life was marked by both luck and ordeal. He accepted the blessings of good fortune with sincere humility, and he bore the pain of misfortune with quiet dignity. He loved his family as only those who have lost, and have nearly lost, can love.

As he wished and directed, his body has been cremated, and his ashes will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held there on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family wishing to attend the service should meet at the Administration building at 12:30 p.m.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard