Michael Wayne Miller, Sr., 72, of Leland, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
He was born July 24, 1952, at the James Walker Memorial Hospital, in Wilmington, NC, the second son of Joseph Roger Miller, Jr., and Barbara Styne Warren Miller.
He leaves behind his older brother Joseph Roger III of Leland, NC and wife Linda C. Miller.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger sister, Barbara Diane Miller Court-Spahr on May 5, 2018.
He graduated from New Hanover High School in 1970 and joined the military soon after graduating high school. He was posted to Germany, where his wife Dorothy gave birth to their son Michael Miller Jr. on April 9, 1974. His daughter, Melissa Miller Madry was born in Wilmington, NC on Dec 12, 1976. He served in the Army from 1971 – 1974 in Germany; and 1987 – 1991 stationed in Fort Bliss, Tx, and deployed to Desert Storm/Desert Shield. He joined the US Army Reserves and served from 1995 until his retirement from the military in 2012 with the rank of SFC E7.
His career included stints at General Electric in the Nuclear Power division; Louisiana Pacific; and finally Sunny Point as a DOD security guard.
He met his current wife, Michelle Miller, in Wilmington NC in 1998 while celebrating Christmas at his late sister, Diane’s and Sam’s home. They endured a long-distance relationship until Michelle was able to immigrate to the USA in 2000. They were married in Leland NC on Oct 14, 2000 and were blessed to have almost a quarter of a century together where they were able to build their dream log home in Leland, surrounded by nature, hummingbirds, and a steady supply of stray felines in need of nutrition and love.
He leaves 5 grandsons: Mikael and Mathew from son Michael (wife Vickie); and 3 grandsons, Jacob and Nikolas from his daughter Melissa (and the late Kevin Madry); and Landen (Dean). He has 2 nephews from his late sister Diane, Warren Court (Costa Rica); and Jeremy Spahr and Fiancée Clare (Wilmington NC)
In his youth he attended the Cape Fear Presbyterian Church on Shipyard Blvd; he became a Southern Baptist when he joined the Military.
He will always be a Braves fan, loved the annual Little League Series, got to love and enjoy rugby and cricket and became an avid golfer during his retirement. His lifelong passion was hunting and fishing, with the highlight of his year being the annual hunting trip to Indiana with his close hunting buddies. He earned several Merit Badges as a Boy Scout and earned the rank of First Class. He is very proud of his services to teaching Hunters Education and being good stewards of the land to the younger generation of upcoming hunters. Michael Wayne Miller was a true Southern Gentleman. He worked hard and was always punctual.
He served his country with honor; he loved his family. He is loved and missed by all his family and friends in South Africa and the UK. He will be especially missed by his military and hunting brothers.
He leaves behind beloved cats (the Morons): Spooky, Nelson (Big Boy) and Nandi, Smoky Mouse Face and Sadie, wife Michelle and his beloved Toyota Tundra truck.
In his final days, Melissa tended to her Daddy with much love and compassion, both as an RN and as his daughter. Special thanks go to his big brother Roger who was there for him in his hours of need, and to Melissa’s partner David who provided love, support and advice whenever he could.
He received compassionate hospice care from Lower Cape Fear LifeCare and his special Hospice Angels.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare or the Wounded Warriors organization.
