LeRoy Wissinger, longtime volunteer and board member at Annie’s Attic, moves through the shop with the same purpose and warmth he’s brought to the store since its earliest days.
KINGMAN — What began as a story about an upcoming Honor Flight for Korean and Vietnam War veterans quickly turned into something more personal — the story of a 96‑year‑old Kingman man whose daily routine and lifelong service have made him a quiet fixture in the community.
His name is LeRoy Wissinger, and every morning, without fail, he shows up for work at Annie’s Attic, the volunteer‑run thrift store on Northern Avenue. The former carpenter, mill worker, and longtime high school shop and math teacher still moves with purpose through the large store filled with antiques, collectibles, and donated goods.
“You know, we have a lot of antiques in here,” Wissinger said with a grin. “She put her finger out and poked me and said, ‘Yes, I think I just touched one.’”
Wissinger’s connection to Annie’s Attic began about 12 years ago, shortly after the passing of his wife of 63 years, MaryAnn. The store became a place of purpose and community as a board member as well as an in-store helper, he has been part of its heartbeat ever since.
Operations manager Mike Gibson said Wissinger has been with the store since its earliest days.
“LeRoy has been here for 12 years,” Gibson said. “He started with the original founders, Annie and Don Fuller, and he’s been here ever since. He’s here every day working, and when he’s not working, he’s out dancing on Friday nights.”
Annie’s Attic, open Tuesdays through Saturdays, is staffed entirely by volunteers. Wissinger’s presence, Gibson said, brings a warmth and charm that customers and volunteers alike have come to treasure.
The store’s mission extends far beyond its walls.
“The mission is to basically help as many people as we can and as many nonprofits as we can,” Gibson said. “We also help other nonprofits raise money for their organizations.”
In addition to assisting individuals in need, Annie’s Attic supports 57 local organizations, making it one of the more quietly impactful operations in the Kingman area.
It was the upcoming Honor Flight that first brought Wissinger’s name forward. The program provides Korean and Vietnam War veterans with a free, all‑expenses‑paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, and other historic sites.
Wissinger will be among those traveling in mid‑April — a journey meant to honor his service, though his everyday contributions at home already speak volumes.
His Honor Flight story will continue in the weeks ahead. But even before he boards the plane, his life at Annie’s Attic stands as a reminder that service doesn’t end with a uniform — sometimes it continues behind a thrift‑store counter, greeting customers, sharing stories, and brightening a community one day at a time.
Allen Scott
