Wayne George Miller Jr. (65) resident of St. Maries, ID  passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Wayne Sr. and Karen Miller on August 27, 1959, in Gouverneur, NY.  Wayne grew up in Reno, NV and attended school there; however, he knew school was not for him, so he left while he was in high school but was able to complete his GED when he was 20.

Following high school, Wayne held a few odd jobs before going through an apprenticeship through the UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 350.  He worked as a Journeyman Pipefitter for over 10 years.  Most of his early days were spent in Reno; however he temporarily moved to Blackfoot, ID where he worked in steel and miscellaneous construction jobs.  Over the course of several years, Wayne had a few marriages, two that resulted in his sons, Justin and Darren Miller. 

In 1993 Wayne moved to St. Maries, ID and built his home up the Benewah.  He worked construction around St. Maries building several area homes and constructing some custom cabinets.  With his vast knowledge, Wayne loved passing on his talents to his neighbors helping them with their homes or projects.  He also helped in the construction of some of his siblings’ homes too.  Welding was one of his most favorite jobs turned hobby, and he was good at it.  Equally, he loved to tinker and work on machines. Wayne was amazingly talented at anything he did.

Wayne’s happy place was in the great outdoors.  Living in the mountains, he enjoyed plowing snow on his long driveway.  He also enjoyed fishing and hunting, creating some of the best venison jerky and sausage around.  He loved gardening, canning, cooking and enjoyed creating dishes like his Signature potluck macaroni salad.  Wayne was full of life and put his energy into family, friends, and neighbors; he was always eager to meet new people.  If anyone needed anything, Wayne was the guy that would help them out.

Wayne is survived by his children Darren (Nicole) Miller of St. Maries, ID and Justin (Leslie) Miller of Placerville, CA as well as Stephen and Andrew Hickson; sisters Peggy (Victor) Taylor and Lorina Kirkpatrick both of St. Maries, ID; grandchildren Jesse Miller (Emily Mundel), Aiden Miller (Lenora Leder), Nikki Raff, Alyssa Miller,  Jackson Miller and Logan Miller; great grandchildren Cohen, Paisley, Tristan, Kiara, Ben, and Nicklaus, dear friend Penny Shatto, numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents and his former fiance’ Patricia Peters. 

A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Benewah Community Center, 11666 Benewah Creek Road in St. Maries. Please visit the online tribute at www.hodgefuneralhome.com