Wayne Miller

Wayne Lee Miller, 81, of Inkom passed away April 3, 2024, after a long battle with blood cancer. He was born in Newdale, ID October 27, 1942, to George and Lydia Miller. The family moved to the Pocatello area, when he was young, for his father’s employment. Wayne was content with the area, which suited all of his outdoors activities, and he never chose to leave.

Wayne graduated from Pocatello High School in 1962. He went on to ISU and received an associate degree in drafting and initially went to work for the State Highway Dept. He then moved on to Idaho Nuclear at the then INEL. In this position he became interested in engineering and management and returned to ISU part time to study both. This began his move up through the corporate ladder and eventually led to project management. He worked for several contractors at the site, and he rounded out his career managing a project management group. He tried retirement but missed the people and work so much he returned as a consultant on two separate contracts. He finally retired for good in 2006.

Wayne married the girl down the street and love of his life, Sharon Matthews in 1964. They had one son, Kevin Lee, in 1966. Together they enjoyed camping with friends, traveling and taking one of their street rods out for a cruise or to car shows. Wayne was a devoted husband and after Sharon’ diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease he was always by her side caring for her. They would have reached their 60th Anniversary on September 11th.

Wayne and Sharon attended the First Baptist Church of Pocatello. Wayne enjoyed the fellowship of the church and grew closer to the Lord. He was always available for improvement projects around the church, and he enjoyed volunteering with the church’s food pantry.

His interests outside of work were numerous. His true loves were elk hunting and fly fishing. In the summer he spent a lot of time on the Snake River in his drift boat or on any of the creeks or rivers in the area. In the fall he was in the mountains hunting every chance he got. His other interests were driving or building his street rods, camping with friends and family, riding ATVs and his horses.

Wayne is survived by his wife Sharon, his son, Kevin Lee (Inkom), one grandson, Daniel James (Portland), two brothers, Larry (Mar Jean) Pocatello and Dean (Nancy) Meridian, two nieces Julie Hitchcock (Greg) Pocatello and Shelley Miller Pocatello, one nephew, Kenneth Miller (Stacy) Pocatello and ex sister-in-law, Karen Miller, Pocatello.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 11 AM at the Falls View Cemetery, 2938 McKinley Rd., American Falls, ID. Following the service, a reception will be held from 1-3 PM at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 West Chubbuck Rd., Chubbuck, ID.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Wayne’s name.

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