William (Bill) Francis Muller, LMT, 87, of Clearwater, FL, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at home under the care of Suncoast Hospice and the love of his family.

William was born on August 2, 1927 in Jersey City, NJ. Later he and his family moved to Brooklyn, NY, NY, where he worked at the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard working on construction of the U.S.S. Missouri. He later enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at age 17 in 1944.

Service Record:

After discharge from the Coast Guard he lived in North Hollywood, CA.  During his military service, William was awarded American Theater Ribbon/Medal; Asiatic Pacific Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Star and the World War II Victory Medal.  His ratings were AS, S2C and S1C and he served aboard the USS LST 170; USA FS-314;USS FS -164; USS LST 170 and the USS CHIWAUKUM.  He worked as a part time actor and reserve police officer for the LAPD. Here he met and married Clara L. Gould in 1954.

William and Clara moved to Brooklyn, NY, NY, where he worked as a switchman on the railroad for the Hudson Tubes.

In the early 1960s he and his wife and children eventually moved to Maine where his wife was from. He worked as an E.R. orderly; as well as acting in the Portland Playhouse show “Anything Goes”.  He worked and lived here until 1967 when he and his family moved to Meriden, CT, where he continued working in the healthcare field. He loved acting, and once more became involved with a local playhouse in the production of “Never Too Late”. During this time in CT he worked in the hospital with catheter patients; seeing that these patients suffered skin breakdown from the adhesive tape used to secure the catheter, he designed and produced, and eventually obtained a patent for “The Muller Catheter Strap” in 1972. He was extremely proud, yet humbled, by this achievement.

In 1973 William and his family moved to Clearwater, FL. He went on to higher education at the University of Florida, Gainsville, and obtained a degree in Massage Therapy, specializing in neuromuscular work. For nearly 20 years he and his wife, Clara, owned and operated “The Centre for Natural Therapeutics” on West Bay Drive, Largo, FL. His practice garnered many patients who referred to him as “Doctor Muller” for his ability to ease their pain. William dedicated his work to alternative health and wellness for anyone in need. When semi-retired, he later continued onto the educational lecture circuit, traveling the country to help others obtain their CEU’s in the field of massage therapy.

Once totally retired, William spent much time building WWII Coast Guard and Naval ship models. His collection was his “baby”. He loved visiting the United States Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater base, where he told stories of his days in the Coast Guard during WWII to the younger Coasties, who always met him with honor and respect.

William was predeceased by his father Joseph; his mother Martha in 1982; his infant brother Joseph in 1925; his sister Jamesina in 1970; and his brother Joseph.

He is survived by his wife Clara, of 61 years; his children, Cecily Muller of East Baldwin, ME; his son William F Muller II of Clearwater, FL; his daughter Maureen Sayers of Clearwater FL; and his daughter Denise Mattatall and her husband David of Palm Harbor, FL. As well, he is survived by his brother Charles and his wife Joanne of Peekskill, NY, and his sister Barbara O’Connell and her husband Richard of Amherst, OH. He has six grandchildren, Sarah Donegan of Shelburne, VT; Hannah Weisman-Peluse of Vergennes, VT; Daniel Muller-Hayes of Clearwater, FL and Randolph, ME; Rebecca McKay of Largo, FL; Mary Sayers of St. Petersburg, FL; and Zachary T Muller of Centerville, OH. His six great-grandchildren are, Sophia; Eleanor, Amber, Alexandria, Arianna, and Kian; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be at Bay Pines National Cemetary on April 24, 2015, at 12:45 pm with the Pinellas County Honor Guard.

Veterans Funeral Care

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