Dr. Lairy Wayne Miller

Dr. Lairy Wayne Miller, age 64 of West Chester, Ohio, entered into heaven on Friday March 13, 2026. He was born on November 17, 1961 to Jack and Eva Miller. He was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where he graduated from Colerain High School in 1980. He furthered his education at the University of Cincinnati where he graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in biology before moving on to “the” Ohio State University College of Dentistry in Columbus, Ohio, receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1988. He then returned back home to begin his dental career in Cincinnati, a city for which his enthusiasm and passion was limitless.

Wayne was a very devoted husband and nurturing father. On August 20, 1988, Wayne married Debbie, affectionately known as Schwab. They were married for 37 years, very rarely ever being apart, inseparable and loving each other well. Their days were constantly interwoven, working together, building a dream house and dream office together, and spending time together with family vacations, church activities and school events demonstrating the true blessing of marriage and family. Lives were busy and their love did not shine as brightly until “in sickness and in health” became reality. Debbie became a full time caregiver, a role she was able to maintain without pause, sustained by the many years of his profound commitment to his women. The privilege of holding hands was not lost, instead becoming a more and more abundant gift as each day passed.

Daddy, Father, Pa – all names given by his two girls who were cherished immensely. Dr. Megan was encouraged by Pa through every test, application and interview for medical school. His tenacity for care and meaningful relationships with his own patients allowed her to make the easy decision to become a primary care physician. Megan is the clone of her dad, both with the same grins, personalities, work ethic and Christian values. Musical talent came from Daddy and Emily was supported at a young age with the baby grand, the guitars, and the road trips to Nashville. Without hesitation, dad became a roadie, traveling to gigs and sitting front and center during the performances. From the beginning he tried to advance his own music career but ultimately accepted that his musical abilities were far surpassed by the talents of his little girl. Duets in church were treasured and always brought about a quiet vocal competition between them. Quick wit, generosity, positivity and a special connection bonded Emily with her father.

If you know Wayne, you know his favorite TV show was Andy Griffith. By extension from the show, Wayne began calling his parents Ma and Pa, a tradition he passed down to his kids. He admired his dad who faithfully went to work every day, an example of how to provide for his family. He inherited a rambling gift of gab from his mother, as well as her friendly, joyous, and stubborn demeanor invariably felt by those in her presence.

Wayne was proud to have Todd, a brother seven years younger than him – someone he could guide and mentor yet also count on to conquer adventures and create household mischief. They had their own language between them, and you knew that if they both were wearing the same playful grins, something was up. They trusted each other and supported each other on their different paths. The bond of brothers was unspoken and unbreakable, traveling many miles at times to ensure each other’s safety. Brother in law Jeff stepped in as a second brother. Wayne was good for a laugh at his attempt to understand farming or helping with the construction of hanging cabinets at the new dental office. He loved his brothers and sometimes their “over the top” handshakes made you worry for the future of his dental days.

Wayne had a very strong mother/son relationship with his mother in law Betty. He was generous in his support and relied on her to be his prayer partner while raising his family and building his business. They loved to rile each other up, whether it was with a little fist action or Wayne trying to jump out and scare Betty, always entertaining.

Wayne had a desire to know the Lord and began attending church early in the dating relationship with Debbie. In the middle of his demanding dental school curriculum, Wayne was baptized and became a member of First Baptist Church of Hamilton, Ohio. Never looking back, he served several terms on the deacon’s board, donating his time to the church and eagerly singing and playing solos during morning worship. He refused to leave the building without a handshake and smile for most attenders. You knew the blessing of this man when you saw his smile. A personal friend to the pastors, the teachers, the choir members and the babies in the nursery, he had the heart and desire to embrace everyone with compassion and grace. In the final years, he knew the presence of his church family and the familiar sounds and voices as he worshipped at home through the online services. The family of God helped calm him and bring him a healing comfort in many anxious states of mind.

Wayne enjoyed a good game of backyard whiffle ball and his league softball knuckleball was rivaled by none other. His other hobbies included Elvis impersonation, rocking out to the Beatles, a jog for a few miles or an hour of weightlifting. Many remember the days of his dental school band, his black leather coat, and a few splits as he was shaking his knees and quivering his lip like Elvis. His fame came as he sang and impersonated Earl Pits on WLW radio and promoted his new dental office to gain a few new patients.

Doc and Debbie were an inseparable pair in dentistry. Doc’s talented hand skills coupled with Debbie’s accounting knowledge allowed them to embark on building his own dental practice from scratch. For those fortunate to know Dr. Lairy Miller and his practice First Impressions Dentistry in Springdale, Ohio, you experienced a gentle, soft-spoken man who worked for 33 years without ever having a sick day – ever! He was very gifted in dentistry, not only in advanced clinical skills and the latest technology, but also as a man who fostered relationships and became family with all of his patients and tenured staff. Most importantly, the man and “family” you met walking in the door was a follower of God. Dr. Miller openly shared his faith each day, including practicing his church solos in front of the staff and patients for the next time he was scheduled to sing. Doc and Debbie held many hands and prayed for people as they shared a need. Without hesitation, he was quick to quietly aid a financial contribution or donate hours of dentistry to those he knew needed an extra bit of assistance. He was dependable, honest, and comforting to all of his patients and cohorts. Betty was added to speed dial to go buy more bibles as they were continuously given out with the hope that a seed would be planted and a life would be saved for Jesus. Doc saw that the harvest was plentiful and never missed an opportunity to witness.

Doc courageously faced his sudden illness which began during the Covid pandemic. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) initiated an autoimmune attack of the limbic lobe of the brain. He encountered full aphasia, Grave’s disease, seizures and accelerated young onset Alzheimer’s disease, all rarities in a combination that depleted the man but did not defeat him. The Lord allowed him to witness to several during his rapid decline with the help of Debbie and the days they spent sharing together. While waiting for many months for hospice care to end, each new day brought about another testimony to the multitude of people who entered their home. We will not mourn the future as we have had the most faithful husband and father that could ever have been awarded. God gives grace to the humble, and Doc was blessed to receive it.

Dr. Lairy Miller was preceded in death by his parents, Jack P. Miller and Eva Marie (Brumley) Miller, and father in law Donald Schwab. He is survived by his wife Debra Jean (Schwab) Miller, his two daughters Dr. Megan Miller of West Chester and Emily Miller of Nashville, Tennessee. He also leaves behind his mother in law Betty Schwab of Hamilton, brother Brian Todd (Kimberly) Miller of Cincinnati, nieces Sydney Miller and Lauren (Schwab) Eyre, nephew Ryan Schwab, and brother in law Jeffery Donald (Toni) Schwab of Somerville.

A viewing will be held on Thursday March 19, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Avance Funeral Home, 4976 Winton Rd. Fairfield, Ohio. Second visitation will be on Saturday March 21, 2026 at 10:00am until the time of service (11 a.m.) at First Baptist Church of Hamilton, 1501 Pyramid Hill, Hamilton, Ohio 45013 with graveside services following at Oak Hill Cemetery in Springdale, Ohio.

Memorial donations for Dr. Lairy Miller may be sent to First Baptist Church of Hamilton and Hospice of Middletown. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.avancefuneralhome.com