Denton
WAYCROSS — William Moody Denton, Jr., 83, died peacefully at Satilla Bluffs on Friday, November 1, 2024, after having spent time visiting or talking on the phone with all who loved him.
Denton was born in the old Douglas hospital, but was a lifelong resident of Bickley, the son of William Moody (Bill) Denton and Mabel Clare Strickland Denton. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Faye Music Denton, whom he married in October of 1962, and shared 46 years until her death in 2009.
He was educated at Nicholls High School, Emory at Oxford, and graduated from Georgia Southern in 1963.
Denton farmed with his father for several years before working at Ware County Department of Family and Children Services, where he acquired the position of director. He retired from that position after 30 years of service. Some of his closest friends were colleagues who worked with him at DFACs.
Denton was a lifelong member of Bickley United Methodist Church, and boasted that he had never spent a Christmas Eve anywhere in his life but his beloved Bickley He was proud to have been a Boy Scout, a 50-year member of the Waycross Exchange Club, a proud supporter of the Second Amendment and lifelong member of the NRA.
Denton was an avid student of all things historical, and especially celebrated his heritage of being the grandson of a Civil War veteran. He loved cars and firearms and was an expert on both. He volunteered for his community and led many projects on child abuse prevention, and contributed to so many charities and philanthropic endeavors that it would be impossible to list them all.
Denton was kind and sweet, accepting of everyone, and we will miss him so very much.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barabara Music Denton, and his sister-in-law Delores Taylor.
He is survived by his children, Lora Denton Lord and husband, Alan, and Will Denton and wife, Becky; his adored grandchildren, Olivia Claire Denton, Anna Katherine Lord, Elizabeth Mae Denton, Denton Alan Lord, and William David Denton; his brother Thomas Denton; his cousin Debra Denton (husband Terry) who was raised in the house with him and he considered a sister. Surviving also is his former daughter-in-law, Janet Gatewood, and a step granddaughter, Celia Sue Blackaby.
Denton is also survived by his wife’s brothers and sisters and their spouses, Z.A. and Sharon Music, Sue and Buddy Lee, Becky and Sam Wylie, and Leslie and Jackie Music, all of whom were constant sources of love, support, visits, friendship, and many meals for him. He also is also survived by many, many Denton and Music nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved and adored. We could not have cared for our daddy the past five years without our beloved family.
We would like to thank the amazing staff at Satilla Bluffs and all the residents who became Dad’s family for the past few years, Hearth Hospice and Southeast Home Health Agency. Our daddy could not have had better care.
A funeral service was held Saturday, November 9 in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Lloyd Denton, Bobby Denton, ZA Music, Will Denton, Alan Lord, Denton Lord and Leslie Music.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes, Inc., PO Box 1000, Stockbridge, Ga., 30281-9878, or to Bickley Church, 8040 Old Nicholls Highway, Nicholls, Ga., 31554.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.
