Tributes were paid this afternoon to the former chairman of one of Shropshire’s biggest manufacturing firms, who has died after a battle with cancer.

County-born industrialist Arthur Miller joined GKN Sankey in Telford after World War Two and worked his way from the drawing office to the top of the company. At the time, the Hadley Castle firm was one of the largest businesses in Shropshire.

It employed thousands of people making components for the motor industry.

Today Mr Miller’s son David, a partner in Shrewsbury-based Miller Evans estate agents, paid tribute to his father, who died on September 1.

“He went from the bottom to the top at one company which nowadays isn’t done so much,” he said.

Arthur Miller was born in Minsterley in 1928 and lived in Porthill in Shrewsbury for much of his life, attending Priory School for Boys.

His son said: “He joined GKN Sankey straight from school. He started in the drawing office where they worked on plans and designs. He worked his way up through sales and held various positions, and ended up being chairman.

“I suppose it must have been in the 1980s and he was chairman for a few years. He was quite a well-known figure.”

He said his father had seen a lot of changes during his time at the company.

“He had to manage a very difficult time when they were reducing down quite a lot. There were a lot of people working there. It used to be Shropshire’s biggest employer by a long way, but things changed.”

Mr Miller was married to Edna, who died shortly after he retired 20 years ago. He later married Susan, who survives him.

David Miller said his father had many hobbies which he continued to pursue during his retirement.

“Dad was keen on all kinds of sport and used to be very good at table tennis. He also enjoyed gardening, reading and music,” he said.

Mr Miller’s funeral will be held on Wednesday at St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury. A collection will be taken at the service with the cash to be split between Macmillan and the church.

By Chris Burn