Wayne Arthur Miller was born Sept. 10, 1947, to James Arthur and Doris Blakley Miller in Chehalis, Washington. He graduated in 1966 from W.F. West High School, Chehalis, and left his hometown to attend Washington State University in Pullman. He married Peggy Miller in Chehalis on Feb. 9, 1974.
Wayne worked in quite a few professions, but his favorite was as a floral designer. Out of college, he became a short-order cook and bartender for Bodes on Interstate 5 in Napavine and then Country Cousin in Centralia. From this job, he began to help his father as an insurance agent for Grange Insurance in Centralia. He continued to be a bartender at Country Cousin. After the Grange Insurance business was sold, he started helping his friend with floral design and later retired from House of Roses in Olympia. In retirement, after they moved to LaCrosse, he managed the food bank and thrift store for the town.
Fraternal organizations and rituals were his passion. He was a member of the Catholic Church, Masons, Jaycees and, his greatest love, The Grange. His favorite role was as an adviser for the ritual of the sixth degree. He was a special deputy for ritual as appointed by the Washington State Grange. Wayne and Peggy spent many summers at Junior Grange camp as a leader, cook, adult help and, eventually, camp directors. Wayne was also a district youth director. They traveled throughout the state with the title of Junior Grange director for 20 years. They enjoyed inspiring those who worked with our young Grangers, their parents and leaders. From Washington state to national Grange, Wayne and Peggy became the National Grange junior directors in 1988. Again, they enjoyed traveling the states meeting new people and making more lifetime friends. In 2010 Wayne and Peggy received the Washington State Grange Leadership Award, the highest award bestowed on members.
Wayne Miller, or Grumpy as his grandkids called him, is survived by his children, Codi Titus, Kelly Voie, Keith and Sara Titus, Greg and Arminda Miller, Jennifer Webb, and David and Jean Miller; grandchildren: Erik Voie (children: Lilly and Riley), Skyler and Brittany Voie (children: Owen and Hank), Jessica Voie, Krista and Scott McIntyre (child: James), Caleb and Rady Titus (child: Silas), Miranda Panuska, Megan Palmer (children: Paxton and Emersyn), Lanna Svoboda, Jazlynn Webb, Terrell Webb, Jordanne Webb, Nickolas Webb, Dakota Miller, Brittany Gordon, Jazzmyn & Garrett Blauert, and Wyatt Miller; His sisters Elaine and John Stemkoski, children: Jody and Sonya Stemkoski (Children: Tanner, Blake and Gracie), Jamie (children: Rayder and Miller Jo), and Katie Stemkoski and Mike Steele; also Tami and Flint DeKoker, children: Chancy (Children: Violet and Thiago), and Kolten (Son: Gannon); and a special aunt, Irene Miller Tripp, who turned 100 this summer.
Wayne Arthur Miller died at the age of 76 on Jan. 1, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Peggy) Miller, his parents, James and Doris Miller, and grandson Bryan Voie.
A memorial followed by a potluck will be held on Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m. at Newaukum Grange Hall. The family will be collecting items to be donated to the local food bank.
