Milton “Milt” Miller, one of the founders of Tri-State Distributors Association — the future NCWA — died on July 20, surrounded by his family at the age of 88.    

Miller joined the Army in July 1942, and was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant in 1946 from the 142nd Ordnance Company, serving both in Europe and in the Pacific. He returned home to join his father, Sam and brother David, in a family business, now known as Trumbull Industries Inc. There, as vice president in 1950, and then as president in 1955, he would lead the company’s growth from its local origins as a plumbing supply house, into a regional operation that also included municipal materials, cabinets, industrial and piping supplies.  

He was active in many industry associations, and was a founder and president of a Tri-State Distributors Association, a national marketing cooperative of plumbing wholesalers, which eventually became the North Central Wholesalers Association (NCWA). Miller also was a founder of a computer services firm and a financial services company, both pioneering efforts in the industry.  

His many accomplishments in the industry include being named one of the 25 influential wholesalers during the past quarter century in 1983 by Supply House Times.  Miller was also instrumental in the founding of the C. L. Watt buying group.  

Contributions may be made to Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way, Youngstown, OH 44505 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  

Read here for his obituary and to send condolences.