Alfred WAYNE Milam

Alfred Wayne Milam, 90, of Fayetteville, who went by his middle name of Wayne for most of his life, passed away on December 28th, 2022 as a result of a broken heart. His loving wife of 68 years, Shirley Jean Milam, passed on December 20th, eight days prior. Wayne was a great husband, a wonderful father, a super grandfather, and a super great grandfather.

Wayne was born on April 26th, 1932 in the long gone coal mining community of Oswald, Raleigh County West Virginia. He was the third of five sons born into the family of Dennis Henry Milam and Ethel D. (Allen) Milam. His brother were Dennis Jr., Fred, Donald, and Galen. Wayne was the last member of that family.

At an early age the Milam family relocated from Oswald to the coal mining community of Fayette Station in the New River Gorge. While living here, the boys attended school at the Lansing School. It was a very hard scrabble life growing up on the rocks and cliffs of the Gorge, but each one of the brothers spoke fondly of the experience as adults.

Wayne’s father built a house on Nickleville road in Fayetteville in the late 1940’s and Wayne met a lovely neighborhood girl and they started dating, fell in love, and married on November 16th, 1954. Their marriage lasted until Shirley’s passing. It was in that house that both Wayne and Shirley passed away.

Wayne was a veteran of the Korean War who saw much combat. He was very proud of his service. He was a hunter, fisherman, and a sports enthusiast. During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s Wayne was one of the top tier of baseball pitchers in the coal camp leagues and industrial leagues on Fayette, Raleigh, Nicholas, and Greenbrier counties. He was a huge fan of the West Virginia Mountaineers and an ever greater fan of the Fayetteville High School Pirates.

Wayne retired as a custodian of the Fayette County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building in Fayetteville and prior to that served in the same capacity at Fayetteville High School. He also worked for Aker’s Electric and Insulation in Fayetteville, and as a coal miner.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Jean Milam; his parents, Dennis and Ethel Milam; his brothers, Dennis Milam Jr., Fred Milam, Donald Milam, and Galen Milam; sisters-in-law, Deloris Milam, Shirley Lou Milam; his in-laws, Payne and Gertrude Rose; and a brother-in-law, Robert Rose.

Wayne is survived by his sons Roy Wayne Milam (Dianne) of Hico, Dennis Payne Milam (Cathy) of Fayetteville, Ronald Blane Milam (Helen) of Fayetteville, and his daughter Susie Jane Criss (Jim) of Victor. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren Michael Milam (Jessi) of Fayetteville, Roni Marie Fair (Bill) of Fayetteville, Joey Milam (Holly) of Summersville, Anthony Milam (Kirby) of Charleston, Eric Milam (Crystal) of Oak Hill, Shane Milam (Lyndsey) of Oak Hill, Nora Milam of Fayetteville, Maria McClary (Auston) of Oak Hill, Brandie Criss of Beckley, James Criss (Kailyn) of Fayetteville, and Sam Criss of Victor. He is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren, and several nephews and nieces as well as many friends who he adored.

Services will be held at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home on Saturday, December 31st, 2022 at 2pm with Reverend Danny Goins officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Huse Memorial Park. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation in memory of Wayne and Shirley to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com