David Wayne Miller, age 71, of Charleston, West Virginia, folded his last hand on September 20, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of tall tales, unforgettable adventures, and a family that loved him fiercely.

A proud graduate of Charleston High School, Class of 1974, David grew up playing baseball and football in Kanawha City. After graduation he went on to serve in the United States Air Force. His military career took him on some highly dubious adventures through Germany and all the way to California, involving a level of mischief that his 20s were practically built for. While the military ultimately decided his unique brand of chaos was best suited for civilian life, David brought those wild stories home and put his sharp mind to work. He shared his expertise as an instructor at NIT and later spent years talking electronics into submission as a technician for Compucomm.

David was an accomplished Eagle Scout, a reflection of the values he carried with him throughout his life: a love of the outdoors, a willingness to help others, and a lifelong sense of adventure. He was happiest outside, whether kayaking and fishing on the water, playing his harmonica around the campfire, exploring the woods, or simply enjoying the peace and freedom that came with being outdoors. Nature was where David seemed most at home, and he loved sharing that appreciation with the people around him.

But more than anything, David loved his family. He was a fiercely devoted father and an especially proud grandfather. His grandchildren were among the greatest joys of his life, and he treasured every opportunity to spend time with them, share a story, make them laugh, and pass along a little bit of his wisdom—and definitely a little bit of his mischief, too. He loved watching them grow and took great pride in each of them and all their accomplishments. To his grandchildren, he was not simply their grandfather; he was a storyteller, an adventurer, a teacher, a confidant and someone who loved them completely.

David also had a talent for turning an ordinary gathering into a memorable one. He was the host of the West Side Liar’s Poker Fishing Club, where good friends gathered for poker, storytelling, and plenty of laughter. David never let the absolute truth get in the way of a great punchline, and his stories were often just a little better every time he told them.

He is survived by his two daughters, Melissa Miller and Amanda Miller; his beloved granddaughter, Katarina Rayne Price; and his two cherished grandsons, Colten Andrew Beckner and Gabriel James Price.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wandabelle Miller and Harold Herrod Miller—the original witnesses to his mischief.

David leaves behind stories that will be told for years, memories that will bring laughter and tears, and a family who will carry his love with them wherever they go. His greatest legacy isn’t the adventures he had or the stories he told, but the love he gave to his family—especially his grandchildren.

David’s Military Funeral Honors will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, immediately followed by his Celebration of Life at the Davis Creek Church of Nazarene. All are welcome to celebrate and remember him with his family.

And to everyone he loved, everyone who knew him, and everyone who was lucky enough to share in one of his adventures, David leaves you with his his signature goodbyes:

“Bicycle.” & “See ya later, alligator.”