CLUB | Dalziel Rugby have recently very sadly learned of the passing of one of their legendary sons at age 82. A Legend in the true sense of the word, Willie Miller.
At this sad time the club extend their sincere sympathies to Willie’s wife Linda along with Rikki, Lesley, Louise, Alan and grandchildren Andrew and fiancée Carly, Kayley, Jennifer, Kimberly and great grandchildren Rubi and Otis.
After Willie met Linda, their love blossomed, and the happy young couple married on 8th October (Willie’s Birthday) 1962 thereafter enjoying a long and happy marriage in their various homes in Motherwell.
Willie enjoyed many aspects of the game but also created a club dynasty with son Rikki playing for the First XV in the 80’s followed by Andrew who is a current First XV player.
During his long career Willie was Club Captain, Club President, Chairman of Selectors and long-standing General Committee Member in addition to his own lengthy playing career.
Willie was awarded the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award by Dalziel Rugby Club in recognition of his ‘Outstanding service and contribution to the club.’
All those who played with him soon realised that not only was his brave and technically sound tackling technique astounding for a relatively slight player, but he also had a tremendous ability to read a game and had an uncanny instinct of knowing exactly where to be in cover defence before putting in yet another thumping tackle. Willie who played at open side wing forward would head off in attack or defence from the base of the scrum and young players swiftly learned to follow Willie closely to find themselves in the thick of the action.
Such was Willie’s reputation as a player that he was chosen to play for the Glasgow District representative team over a period of 4 seasons in the early 1970’s.
Willie was awarded the highly prestigious Robin Austin Memorial Trophy for services to the club in 1976. This award was especially memorable to Willie as he had been one of the few recipients over the last 55 years who had played rugby with and enjoyed rugby tours with Robin before Robin’s tragic death in 1968.
It was on such occasions that Willie would provide us with his own special rendition of ‘Waltzing Matilda’…all 5 verses …not necessarily in the correct key!
Willie was a character above all characters and after his rendition or his favourite song the entire company would burst into the refrain ‘There’s Only One Willie Miller!’
Outside the game of rugby Willie had many other interests. In the days of old the Burgh of Motherwell, Willie was an Independent Councillor for several years prior to Regionalisation in 1974.
He was also a keen cricketer, taking the game up at age 50, and was one of the few Dalziel rugby players to also appear regularly for Motherwell Cricket Club. Willie was given several mentions in the recent book which was published to celebrate 150 years of Motherwell Cricket Club.
In addition to his rugby and cricket careers Willie was a longstanding member of Dalzell Bowling Club where he displayed his excellent bowling skills for many years. Typical of Willie he became involved and assisted with the organisation of the senior section.
He was also a keen historian and was very knowledgeable about the history of the surrounding area.
His fishing trips were famous in the rugby club as he set off from Girvan or Ayr for an 8-hour expedition on the Firth of Clyde. His fellow fishermen were never in any doubt as to when Willie had contacted a fish as the triumphant cry of ‘INTAE’ !!! would ring round the boat.
Willie was a committed Christian and was a long serving Elder at Crosshill Parish Church.
Willie enjoyed a long career, firstly in insurance with Iron Trades a large Insurance Company who Insured British Steel and many ship builders, mines etc. He then graduated to become a para legal and legal executive with L&L Lawrence Solicitors, Glasgow dealing with liability claims for workers. Willie specialised in claims for asbestos related problems, industrial deafness and oil industry related accidents. Many workers who were injured or affected by the industrial process had cause to be grateful for Willie’s thoroughly professional work in obtaining them compensation for their injuries or illnesses. Willie often had to fight these cases through the courts and appeared regularly in the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
In the Law Awards of Scotland in 2006 Willie was awarded the Paralegal of the Year and Chairman’s Award
The huge number of heart-warming comments already posted on the Dalziel Club social media emphasises the love and respect in which Wee Willie Miller is held by many people both within the club and beyond.
As can be seen, Willie enjoyed a thoroughly active, busy and very fruitful life.
Willie’s Funeral will be held on Friday 8th November when we will say farewell and celebrate the life of a committed Christian, serious working professional, all-round sportsman, politician, raconteur and aspiring singer!
Goodbye Wee Willie …. We will miss you!!
Funeral Details
1.30pm Service of Committal at Holytown Crematorium
2.15pm Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving at Motherwell South Parish Church.
Thereafter at Dalzell Bowling Club