By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Phil Miller began working for his father’s company, Howard Miller Clock Company, at age 10 mowing the lawn.
At 14, he started working in various departments of the company after school and during the summer.
After finishing his master of business administration degree at the University of Michigan in 1966, Miller began working full-time for the Zeeland-based manufacturer and would remain there for 42 years, the last six as chief executive officer from 2002 to 2008.
Miller died of cancer Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, just 10 days after his 82nd birthday. His death came just five days after he had been diagnosed, and three days after he had been placed in a hospice facility, according to his obituary notice. He was surrounded by his wife, Nancy, along with children and grandchildren.
Miller’s death comes six months after his older brother, Jack H. Miller, who preceded Phil at chief executive officer at Howard Miller, died at the age of 93.
Philip Dean Miller was born Sept. 25, 1943, in Zeeland to Howard C. and Martha Miller, the youngest of three children. He graduated from Zeeland High School in 1961 and Hope College in 1965. One summer while in college, he was a stock runner on Wall Street.
Under Phil and Jack Miller’s leadership, Howard Miller became the largest clock manufacturer in the world. Phil also served on the boards of several other companies, including Zeeland-based ODL Inc., and served as chairman of the International Housewares Association.
In January 1970, Miller married Nancy Sonneveldt, a literature professor at Hope College who was three years older than him. The two met through a co-worker who was Sonneveldt’s cousin. She initially declined a date with Phil three times before he finally convinced her to go to dinner with him. The couple became known as “Clock and Doc.”
A devout Christian, Phil Miller was committed to philanthropy and community service. He served as vice chairman of the Hope Board of Trustees and was on the board of directors for Bethany Christian Services. He served as elder, deacon and vice president at Holland’s Christ Memorial Church, where he attended for more than 50 years.
In retirement, Miller took on new projects, serving on the Holland Board of Public Works board of directors and working on housing revitalization projects with organizations like Jubilee Ministries and Homecor.
Phil Miller is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy; children and their spouses, Christopher (Amanda) Miller of Oak Park, Ill., Derek (Sunmee) Miller of Washington D.C., and Melinda (Christopher Cochran) Miller of Holland; and four grandchildren, Anna, Philip, Esther, and Collin - to whom he taught the values of family, generosity, and service through example.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road, Holland, with Dr. Felix Theonugraha will officiating. Visitation is scheduled for tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
The Miller family asks that rather than sending flowers or a donation in his name, that those wishing to honor Phil pay it forward with time or resources to a local organization that is meaningful to them.
Zeeland Record
Phil Miller began working for his father’s company, Howard Miller Clock Company, at age 10 mowing the lawn.
At 14, he started working in various departments of the company after school and during the summer.
After finishing his master of business administration degree at the University of Michigan in 1966, Miller began working full-time for the Zeeland-based manufacturer and would remain there for 42 years, the last six as chief executive officer from 2002 to 2008.
Miller died of cancer Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, just 10 days after his 82nd birthday. His death came just five days after he had been diagnosed, and three days after he had been placed in a hospice facility, according to his obituary notice. He was surrounded by his wife, Nancy, along with children and grandchildren.
Miller’s death comes six months after his older brother, Jack H. Miller, who preceded Phil at chief executive officer at Howard Miller, died at the age of 93.
Philip Dean Miller was born Sept. 25, 1943, in Zeeland to Howard C. and Martha Miller, the youngest of three children. He graduated from Zeeland High School in 1961 and Hope College in 1965. One summer while in college, he was a stock runner on Wall Street.
Under Phil and Jack Miller’s leadership, Howard Miller became the largest clock manufacturer in the world. Phil also served on the boards of several other companies, including Zeeland-based ODL Inc., and served as chairman of the International Housewares Association.
In January 1970, Miller married Nancy Sonneveldt, a literature professor at Hope College who was three years older than him. The two met through a co-worker who was Sonneveldt’s cousin. She initially declined a date with Phil three times before he finally convinced her to go to dinner with him. The couple became known as “Clock and Doc.”
A devout Christian, Phil Miller was committed to philanthropy and community service. He served as vice chairman of the Hope Board of Trustees and was on the board of directors for Bethany Christian Services. He served as elder, deacon and vice president at Holland’s Christ Memorial Church, where he attended for more than 50 years.
In retirement, Miller took on new projects, serving on the Holland Board of Public Works board of directors and working on housing revitalization projects with organizations like Jubilee Ministries and Homecor.
Phil Miller is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy; children and their spouses, Christopher (Amanda) Miller of Oak Park, Ill., Derek (Sunmee) Miller of Washington D.C., and Melinda (Christopher Cochran) Miller of Holland; and four grandchildren, Anna, Philip, Esther, and Collin - to whom he taught the values of family, generosity, and service through example.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road, Holland, with Dr. Felix Theonugraha will officiating. Visitation is scheduled for tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
The Miller family asks that rather than sending flowers or a donation in his name, that those wishing to honor Phil pay it forward with time or resources to a local organization that is meaningful to them.
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