Wilbur Ash 'Bill' Miller, 93 DOVER - Wilbur Ash Miller, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010, in his home. He was 93. Born in Phoenixville, Pa. to the late Mildred Ash and Lewis Cheyney Miller, Mr. Miller graduated second in his high school class at the age of 16. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Drexel Institute of Technology, he attended the University of Heidelberg in Germany. Mr. Miller was married for 67 years to Martha Jean Wallace of Akron, Ohio, until her death in 2007. The couple moved to Dover in 1945, where Mr. Miller was employed as a research chemist at International Playtex Corporation. During his time with Playtex and its spin-off company ILC, Mr. Miller acquired 7 patents, including one as co-inventor of the first high altitude helmet. This helmet was worn by U-2 pilots and at one time by the fictional Buck Rogers. It was, in reality, the first space helmet and led indirectly to the Apollo space suits being made by ILC in Frederica. In 1958, Mr. Miller moved from the lab to sales and was responsible for setting up joint venture companies in England, Germany and Japan. He served on the boards of directors of those companies for more than 20 years. In 1980, he was among the first American businessmen to travel to the Chinese mainland. When he retired in 1986, he was V.P. of World Licensing for Reichold Chemical Industries and had made lasting and valued friendships with colleagues in England, Germany and Thailand. In retirement, he served as treasurer of Friends of the Dover Library and was an avid member of the German-American Club in Dover. For many years, he was an active member of the Fitness Center at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. He looked forward to lunch with his former business colleagues on Tuesdays and each year enjoyed the annual reunion of retired Reichold employees. Mr. Miller is survived by his two sons, Lewis C. Miller of Kenosha, Wis. and David L. Miller of Dover. Mr. Miller requested there be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations be made to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, De 19901. Arrangements are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc., Dover. Condolences and Register Book signings may be made via www.ambruso.com.