Denzil W. Miller

Retired USAF Major Denzil W. Miller died June 6, 2026, in Sumter, SC

Born November 29, 1941, in Crab Orchard, WV. He was a son of the late Donald and Naomi Miller and stepfather Gilmer Hughes.

He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School class of 1958.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Naomi Miller, wife, Margaret Ann Bland Miller, a brother, Donald R. Miller and a daughter in law Christie R. Miller.

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 retired from the USAF in 1987.

He then owned his own home improvement business and retired in 2012.

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.

Services will be Friday, June 12, 2026 in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with his grandson, Pastor Cody Miller officiating. Burial will follow with full Military Honors at the Fitzpatrick Family Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow with full Military Honors at the Fitzpatrick Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked to send donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.