W. Michael Miller, known to many as Mike, passed away on January 21, 2026, at the age of 80.
Born in Lexington, Kentucky on July 1, 1945, Mike was the son of Cecil and Betty Miller and brother to Dennis and Gay. Though a Kentuckian by birth, he spent his early life in Illinois before ultimately building a remarkable career, raising a family and forming lifelong friendships in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Mike attended the Southern Illinois University, where a fortuitus blind date matched him with his wife, Pam. They married in 1968 and began a life together.
After college Mike enlisted in the United States Army and served in Army Military Intelligence and stationed in Korea, where he excelled —an early reflection of the intelligence and discipline that would shape his life of service.
In 1971, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Much of Mike’s work has only recently been declassified, but he was immensely proud of the work that he did in counterintelligence against the Soviet Union during the last decades of the Cold War. Since declassification, he was known to share a story late in the evening that held his audience rapt.
Mike supported his family while balancing an incredibly demanding career. He was his son’s Little League coach and his daughters’ proud dance partner at father-daughter dances. He combined his love for his children and working with his hands to build skateboard ramps, hockey nets and neighborhood playgrounds -- he even elevated simple school projects from cardboard & tape to wood & paper-mache. If you asked Mike for help, he didn’t do it for you, he did it with you, teaching you along the way. In addition to woodworking, cycling was also a hobby – he often reflected on a memorable ride from Cumberland, MD to DC along the C&O Canal.
Mike was famously known for his mustache—which Pam will tell you she never really liked. But it fit him: unmistakable, confident and a little legendary.
Mike played golf his entire life, but it became his primary passion after his kids had grown. He was proudly known among friends as “RL,” because he was the ringleader of a good time. When on the 11th hole at Montclair Golf Club, if your approach shot comes up short into the water, know Mike is there watching you with a mischievous grin.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Pam Miller; his three children, Jason Miller (Lisa), Amy Miller and Katie Phillips (Jason); and his six grandchildren, Michael, Brayden, Kaley, Maggie, Lauren, and George—who brought him endless pride and joy.
Mike’s family and friends will miss him deeply.
Born in Lexington, Kentucky on July 1, 1945, Mike was the son of Cecil and Betty Miller and brother to Dennis and Gay. Though a Kentuckian by birth, he spent his early life in Illinois before ultimately building a remarkable career, raising a family and forming lifelong friendships in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Mike attended the Southern Illinois University, where a fortuitus blind date matched him with his wife, Pam. They married in 1968 and began a life together.
After college Mike enlisted in the United States Army and served in Army Military Intelligence and stationed in Korea, where he excelled —an early reflection of the intelligence and discipline that would shape his life of service.
In 1971, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Much of Mike’s work has only recently been declassified, but he was immensely proud of the work that he did in counterintelligence against the Soviet Union during the last decades of the Cold War. Since declassification, he was known to share a story late in the evening that held his audience rapt.
Mike supported his family while balancing an incredibly demanding career. He was his son’s Little League coach and his daughters’ proud dance partner at father-daughter dances. He combined his love for his children and working with his hands to build skateboard ramps, hockey nets and neighborhood playgrounds -- he even elevated simple school projects from cardboard & tape to wood & paper-mache. If you asked Mike for help, he didn’t do it for you, he did it with you, teaching you along the way. In addition to woodworking, cycling was also a hobby – he often reflected on a memorable ride from Cumberland, MD to DC along the C&O Canal.
Mike was famously known for his mustache—which Pam will tell you she never really liked. But it fit him: unmistakable, confident and a little legendary.
Mike played golf his entire life, but it became his primary passion after his kids had grown. He was proudly known among friends as “RL,” because he was the ringleader of a good time. When on the 11th hole at Montclair Golf Club, if your approach shot comes up short into the water, know Mike is there watching you with a mischievous grin.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Pam Miller; his three children, Jason Miller (Lisa), Amy Miller and Katie Phillips (Jason); and his six grandchildren, Michael, Brayden, Kaley, Maggie, Lauren, and George—who brought him endless pride and joy.
Mike’s family and friends will miss him deeply.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of W. Michael Miller, please visit our flower store.
W. Michael Miller's Guestbook
Visits: 42
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors