Fort Ashby, WV - FORT ASHBY, W.Va. [mdash] Milford "Wayne" Smith passed away at his home in Fort Ashby, W.Va., on June 20, 2026, at the age of 88.

Wayne was the son of the late Milford and Kathaleen (Cogan) Smith. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Ellen Strickland, Lois Marley and Kathaleen Lucey. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Elinor "Dolly" Gray Smith; and by their three infant sons, David, Timothy and Michael; and great-grandson, Jackson.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Joyce Marie Kniseley Smith; by his daughter, Michelle Raley and her husband Mark; his stepchildren, Allan Twigg and wife Deb, Gayle Lowdermilk and husband Sam, Pamela Twigg Shorto and husband Russell, and Julie M. Baker; a host of loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Carol Ann Morrison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Early in his working life, Wayne owned a gas station in Silver Spring, Md. After moving to Rawlings, he worked for a number of years as a mechanic for various dealerships. He was a member of Living Word Lutheran Church in Cumberland, Md., and in recent years enjoyed the outdoor church at Mount Zion in Keyser, W.Va.

Wayne loved nature, animals and birdwatching. He routinely rescued stray cats. He will be remembered for his ability to make something out of almost anything. Long before it was common, he embraced recycling and composting, finding value and possibility where others might have seen something to throw away. He loved working with his hands, inventing tools and rigging up clever solutions. He was also a longtime member of The Outcasts Fishing Club.

Wayne will be missed for his devotion to his family and for his wry sense of humor.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church, 800 Hilltop Drive, Cumberland, MD 21502.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Living Word Lutheran Church, 800 Hilltop Drive, Cumberland, MD 21502; or Mountain Hospice, 1002 South Crim Ave., Belington, WV 26250 (for further disbursement to Mineral County).