Obituary of Ret. USAF Major Denzil W. Miller

Ret. USAF Major Denzil W. Miller, 84, widow of Margaret Ann Bland Miller died Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Sumter.

 

Born November 29, 1941, in Crab Orchard, WV.  He was a son of the late Donald Miller, Naomi Fitzpatrick Miller Hughes and stepfather Gilbert Hughes.  He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. 

 

He was a retired Major with the USAF.  Denzil joined the Air Force in 1959 and spent the next 28 years serving his county. This included tours of Germany, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. He leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service to the Air Force, rising from the enlisted ranks in 1973 to become a respected commissioned officer.  As a valued and highly decorated member of  the US Military, he was invited to participate in the Bootstrap program which is a specialized command-sponsored educational program at the age of 34 even through the cut off age is 30.  The Bootstrap program allows active-duty enlisted members to attend college full time while in the USAF. 

 

He is survived by two sons, Don Miller (Christine) of Murfreesboro, TN, James Miller (Tracy) of Sumter, and a daughter Terri Vaughn of Clarksville, TN; five grandchildren, Cody Miller, Denzil “DW” Miller, Kati Hurst, Andrew Ferst, and Katie Miller; and numerous great grandchildren; brothers, Gene Miller (Robbie) of Chapel, NC., Virgil (Connie) of MacArthur, WV., JD Hughes (Pat) of Mt. Hope, WV, and Doug Hughes of Las Cruses, NM. And numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

 

He is proceeded in death by his parents, a brother, Donald Ray Miller and a daughter in law Christie R. Miller. 

 

Calfee Funeral Home, 800 S. Oakwood Ave., Beckley, WV 25801, will announce funeral arrangements. www.calfeefuneralhome.com

 

Burial with full Military Honors at the Family Cemetery on the Fitzpatrick Farm. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

 

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com

 

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the local arrangements (803)775-9386.