Leroy Wesley Miller was born on 22 November 1886, in Delta, Ohio. His parents are Lewis B. & Harriet “Hattie” L. (Ackerman) Miller. By the1900 Census, Leroy and his parents were living in Marion, Ohio. Leroy married Elizabeth A. (Duffey), in Marion, in 1906.

Leroy W. Miller initially enlisted into the Ohio National Guard in 1903. In July of 1913, Miller was serving as First Sergeant when D Company, Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, went to Camp Perry, Ohio, for the annual encampment. In 1915, L. W. Miller was promoted to First Lieutenant.

Lt. L. W. Miller was serving in D Company, Fourth Ohio National Guard when it served in the Border Campaign. After serving on the southern border and returning to Marion, Lt. Miller served as the recruiting officer of D Company. He was charged with recruiting and building up the manning of D Company in preparation for D Company being inducted into federal service for the First World War. D Company was then in the 166th Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division “Rainbow.”

Lt. Miller departed the United States for Europe aboard the U. S. S. Henry R. Mallory. The Mallory departed Hoboken, New Jersey, on 18 October 1917. While in Europe, Lt. Miller was transferred from D Company to Cardington’s A Company.

In March of 1918, the family of Leroy Miller had a scare. The Casualty list came out with a Leroy W. Miller, but of a different rank than Leroy. The family had not received an official notice from the government, but concern was high. They later found out the casualty was from Rhode Island.

Miller was honorably discharged 7 March 1918. Lt. Leroy W. Miller departed Brest, France, and arrived back in the United States, aboard the U. S. S. Covington, on 8 March 1918. He then was employed with the Erie Railroad as a detective for a time before becoming a fire fighter with the Marion Fire Department.

Leroy W. Miller was hired on the Marion Fire Department on 19 July 1922. During his career he was assigned to Engine Company No. 1, he drove the Chief’s car for a period and was also assigned to Engine Company No. 3.

Leroy W. Miller retired from the Marion Fire Department on 4 April 1947, with 25 years of service. Miller had served 13 years with D Company, ONG. He had also served as Post Commander Geran-Thomas, VFW 3313, and was a member of the Bird-McGinnis Post 162, American Legion.

Leroy W. Miller died on 8 August 1962, and is buried in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.