Walter Wayne Miller

NORTH YARMOUTH – Walter Wayne Miller, 87, passed away on Sept. 13, 2025, at Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland. Wayne was born on Nov. 5, 1937, in Olivia, N.C., to Clifton Booker Miller and Gladys Gregg Miller. He graduated from New Hanover High School, Wilmington, N.C., in 1955 and from Wilmington College/University of North Carolina, Wilmington, in 1957, with an Associate in Arts Degree.

After college Wayne proudly served 30 years in the military, four years in the Marine Corps and 26 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring in 1990 as CW04. While in the Coast Guard, he served at aids to navigation and LORAN stations in many parts of the world, including the West Indies, Philippines, and Japan. He also served on USCG Cutters Mendota, Pontchartrain, and Hamilton. While serving on the Hamilton in Boston, Mass., he met his future wife, Faith.

Near the end of his military career, while stationed in South Portland, Wayne and Faith moved to North Yarmouth. There they enjoyed landscaping, gardening, walking in their woods with their dogs, and cross-country skiing in winter. For a period of time, he also traveled throughout the U.S., working as a quality assurance contractor for the U.S. Postal Service. Wayne was a highly skilled craftsman and spent many hours working on his woodworking projects. He also was an avid reader and had an extensive collection of literary classics, mysteries, and historical fiction.

Over the years Wayne and Faith enjoyed boating among the islands of Casco Bay. He was a member of the United States Power Squadrons. They also enjoyed traveling throughout Maine and the Canadian Maritimes and visiting family in Wayne’s home state of North Carolina.

Wayne was predeceased by his sister, Reba Avery of Hampstead, N.C.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Faith Critchley Miller; his daughter, Rose Baker and her husband Andrew of Dinwiddie County, Va.; his brother-in-law, Thomas Critchley, Jr. of Truro, Mass.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private graveside service was held at Harmony Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, N.H.

For online condolences, visit: http://www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel.