William Joseph Milz, Sr., 96, former Wilkes-Barre City Fire Chief, passed away at Riverstreet Manor in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, June 17, 2017. A life resident of Wilkes-Barre, he lived in the North End section of the city before moving to South Wilkes-Barre to reside with his son.

He was born on October 11, 1920, the only child of the late Andrew and Sarah (Kirwan) Milz. He was the grandson of the late Anselm and Anna (Hoffman) Milz and John and Mary (Duddy) Kirwan.

He attended St. John the Evangelist Elementary School, and was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, class of 1938. Following high school, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was stationed in LaCueva, New Mexico, where he worked on soil conservation and flood protection projects. With the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the US Army, and served in the European Theater with First Army, 78th Division, 309th Infantry Regiment, attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant. He fought in the Rhineland and Ardennes Campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. In March, 1945, he was in the first infantry division to cross the Ludendorff railway bridge over the Rhine River during the Battle of Remagen. Before returning to the United States, he also saw duty in Berlin during the Allied occupation of the city. He was the recipient of several military decorations, including three Bronze Stars.

Following his discharge from the Army, he pursued an Accounting degree at Wilkes College. During that time, he was also an employee of the College. In 1954, he joined the Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department, and advanced through the ranks serving as Captain, Line Chief and Deputy Chief. In 1984, he was appointed as Chief of the Department by former mayor, Thomas McLaughlin. He held that position until his retirement in 1988.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Pierrina “Priscilla” DeCinti, with whom he shared sixty-four wonderful years of marriage. Bill will always be remembered as a loving husband and father as well as a doting grandfather and great-grandfather. Bill’s greatest pleasure in life was to be of service to someone else. He was able to fix anything, and was the first to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He had a winning smile and an easy going nature. To know Bill, was to love him.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his sons and their spouses, all of Wilkes-Barre: Michael A. Milz, (Patricia), William J. Milz, Jr., (Deborah), and Mark A. Milz (Colleen). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Atty. Andrew Milz (Leigh), Narberth, PA; Atty. Martin Milz (Amanda), Mt. Airy, PA; Leah Milz, Philadelphia, PA; Christian Milz (Jennifer),Glen Mills, PA; William J. Milz, III (Joelle), Wyoming, PA; and nine great-grandchildren: Samuel, Anna, Nicholas, Michael, Natalie, Henry, Christian, Evelyn and William.
Bill’s family wishes to thank the staff of Riverstreet Manor for the excellent care and genuine affection showed him during his residency there.

A funeral will be held Wednesday at 9:15 AM from Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 S. Main St., Plains Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place. Memphis, TN 38105.

Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 8 PM.