Miles Webster Paugh, age 92, of Buckhannon, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 18, 2023. He passed from this life to his eternal reward, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Miles was born in Mabie, WV on January 31, 1931, a son of the late Ora & Lillian Paugh. On November 22, 2020, Miles married the love of his life Nellie Marie Wiley. Forever cherishing their memories of Miles are his children, Tom and wife Kay Paugh of Shinnston, Ed Paugh of Clarksburg, WV, Gerry Paugh and wife Sharla of Horner, WV, Phillip Paugh and wife Elizabeth of Idaho, Dan Paugh of Kansas City, Steve Paugh and wife Denice of Peterstown, WV, Mark Paugh and wife Carrie of Jane Lew, WV, Vickie Bates and husband Steven of Wallace, WV, Marvin Wiley and wife Diana of Cumberland, MD, David Wiley and wife Carla of Cumberland, Patricia Wiley of Cumberland, Randy Wiley and wife Ethel of Grantsville, WV, Julie Brode and husband Howard of Cumberland, Kenneth Wiley and wife Rebecca of Cumberland; 52 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Ernie Paugh and wife Vera of Ohio and one sister, Ida Mae Yarloin of Buckhannon.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, John Wiley and two sisters, Betty Tucker and Wilma Jo Davis.
Miles proudly served his country in two branches of the armed forces. Enlisting in the Army, he served from 1948 – 1952, serving in the 73rd/756th Heavy Tank Battalion as an assistant driver on M-39 Personnel Carrier. He was deployed to the Korean Conflict from 1950 – 1951 where he drove a tank and earned a “Purple Heart” medal and 5 “Bronze Star” medals. After serving four years in the Army, Miles enlisted in the United States Air Force serving from 1954 through 1971. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1962 as a forward observer flying around in a Liaison Plane earning a “Purple Heart”. He also served seven years at Andrews Air Force Base on the 82nd Military Transport – Presidential Wing, taking care of “Air Force One” under Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon – where he retired after a combined service of twenty-one years.
Miles was a life-long member of the VFW in Buckhannon and Cumberland proudly assisting Veterans and family members in obtaining benefits. He also served with the Honor Guard, reportedly at over 2,500 funerals. Miles loved his restored military Willy’s Jeeps and honoring all Veterans by participating in many parades.
Miles loved his family but most of all loved the Lord as evidenced by attending the Sago Baptist Church when he was able. Those who knew Miles, knew of his big heart, always wanting to help those around him, leaving a long-lasting legacy as a prime example of how service to the Lord, family, and country should be.
Friends will be received Friday, May 26, 2023, from 2 PM to 8 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Wease Day officiating. Burial will follow in the Veteran’s section of the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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