William R. Miller 1950-2021

He was born Oct. 9, 1950, in Youngstown, to the union of William and Elizabeth Barden Brown Miller.

He is the brother of Debra Lennon and Donna Pinkard, who affectionately called him “Ronnie.” He was a lifelong resident of Youngstown, participating in sports and graduating from The Rayen School in 1968.

In March 1974, he received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Youngstown State University. In May 1980, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from Akron Law School.

While attending YSU, he met his African Queen and the love of his life, Ida Lynnette Kimako Davis. They celebrated 48 years of marriage June 30, 2021. Dedicated and committed to the “struggle,” they collaborated with several civil rights and social action groups in the area. In 1980, their love for children became the catalyst for the foundation of the Harambee Youth Organization.

Mr. Miller worked for CETA, and after passing the bar exam, became Attorny Ron Miller and worked as a self-employed attorney. He later served as assistant city prosecutor for the city of Youngstown. He was CEO for the Youngstown Area Urban League and also served as a YSU professor and dean for the Academy of Urban Scholars. He received multiple awards and acknowledgments from various community organizations, with one of the most recent being his lifetime achievement award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Sababu leaves to cherish his memory, in the hearts of his loving African Queen, Lynnette Miller; African Princess, Zakiya (Nicolas) Miller-Tetteh; son / nephew, Dr. David “Hodari” Davis; daughter / niece, Crystal Davis; great-nephew / grandson, Dr. Jelani H. Davis; and parents, Bill and Betty Miller, all of Youngstown; sisters, Debra Lennon (Detroit, Mich.) and Donna (Clifton) Pinkard (Phoenix, Ariz.); niece, Sherie (Michael) Manthiram (Detroit, Mich.); niece, Dr. Tanek (Rob) Jenkins (Fort Washington, Md.); nephew, Clifton (Trenton) Pinkard Jr. (Parker, Colo.); niece, Kyndra Pickard (Phoenix, Ariz.); a host of other family members and friends; as well as the Harambee and New Bethel Baptist Church, and extended families, whom he loved dearly.

Meeting him at the Heavenly gates, with arms wide open, are his grandparents, Amos Barden Jr., Mamie Alice Thornington Brown, Charles Miller and Molly Mae (Ira) Campbell; uncle, Roy Lee Miller; and aunt, Eula Mae Oglesby.

“He goes to join other warriors and mentors of the Youngstown community, who have gone home to Glory, such as Ernest Lokey, Clarence Barnes, Dr. R. McDuffie, Rev. Lonnie Kwajo Asim Simon, Laura Lumsden and Romelia Carter; and a host of other warriors and ancestors of distinction.”

Services will be held at New Bethel Baptist Church in Youngstown, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, where calling hours will be 10 a.m. to noon and the funeral will begin at noon. A walkthrough repass will be held at the Jaylex Center in Youngstown, at 3 p.m. Friday. COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced.

Services will also be livestreamed on the church Facebook page.

Service were entrusted to Washington Funeral Home and Cremations, 1411 6th Ave., Beaver Falls, Pa., Regina Washington, supervisor.

(special notice)