Ralph “Bill” Willis Miner, Jr, 88, of Norfolk, VA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 13, 2025. He was born on October 26, 1937 in Port Chester, NY to Phyllis Doll and Ralph Willis Miner. He spent the bulk of his childhood in Ohio, primarily Hudson where he graduated from Western Reserve Academy.
Bill graduated from Yale University. He earned his Ph.D. in City Planning from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 1964, he joined the staff of the new Department of City Planning in Norfolk, VA. Much of his 31 year career was devoted to planning for Downtown Norfolk and for inner city neighborhoods. Bill was a Charter Member of the Norfolk Sunrise Rotary Club. Learning more about local history was a growing interest during his retirement. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Norfolk Historical Society from 2004-2022 and the History Committee of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church since 2000 and contributed many historical articles for the church newsletter.
Bill married Judith Clare Meinhardt in 1959 and on August 8, 2025 they celebrated their 66th anniversary. They had three children: John Willis, Paul Stevens, and Katherine Doll. He is survived by wife Judith, son John and daughter-in-law, Barbara Pangle Miner, son Paul and daughter-in-law, Leah Llames Miner, granddaughter, Petra Llames Miner, daughter, Katherine and grandson, Charles Parker Rosemond, and his brother and sister-in-law James Stevens and Elizabeth Wilbur Miner. He is also survived by multiple generations of nieces and nephews.
Photography, especially architecture, cityscapes, and landscapes was a lifelong passion. He captivated (held captive?) many friends, family and other audience members with lengthy slideshows. He enjoyed travel, especially with family. Monhegan Island in Maine was a favorite destination for family reunions. Bill would publish photographic journals of each trip to the island and give them to each family that attended. Bill and Judy enjoyed canoeing together on local waters. He was constantly reading both fiction and nonfiction books. Prince Books in downtown Norfolk was a place he visited frequently. He always enjoyed the simple pleasure of a milkshake from Doumar’s