William Francis Denney's Obituary
William Francis Denney (1933-2023)
William F. Denney, 90, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home in his favorite chair on December 22, 2023.
William, or Bill as he was more commonly known, was born on October 12, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tony and Mary (Foley) Denney. The youngest of two children, he graduated from the Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1952 and matriculated to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. During summers in college he lifeguarded on the Atlantic Ocean in Cape May, New Jersey, a location that would remain special to him his entire life. Upon graduating from the Wharton School in 1956 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and earned a commission as a second lieutenant. Among his experiences in the Army was a trip behind the Iron Curtain.
Upon leaving the army he opted to accept a position on the oil tanker SS Pennsylvania Sun. While on the Pennsylvania Sun he transited the Suez Canal and visited ports across the world such as Bombay (Mumbai), India. In 1960, while on leave in Cape May, he met Sheila Kelly. He never returned to the tanker and on June 3, 1961, they were married. He would settle into the more traditional field of accounting and worked for the Amstar Corporation in New York City while residing in Yardley, Pennsylvania.
In 1970 he was offered a position with a subsidiary of Amstar, the Hoffmaster Corporation, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He rose to Vice President of Finance at Hoffmaster, a position he retained until the early 1980s. Later he accepted a position with the Plexus Corporation in Neenah, Wisconsin, where he served as Controller, Vice President, and Treasurer until his retirement in late 1999.
During retirement he embarked on two tiger cruises on the USS Nimitz and USS Peleliu with his cousin Captain Francis Foley, chaplain. The excursions brought back fond memories of his time in the military and on the seas, while allowing him to develop a wonderful relationship with Francis. He and Sheila also discovered Sanibel, Florida, and spent a portion of many winters there. They developed many great Sanibel friendships and loved having visitors. Early falls were spent in Cape May Point, New Jersey, with visits from family near and far.
One of his proudest accomplishments is his role in the growth of St. Raphael’s the Archangel Catholic Church in Oshkosh. He and the family joined the church, then known as Good Samaritan, in one of its first masses in 1971. In numerous roles he contributed to leading the mission church to parish status and eventually the building of two churches.
One of his greatest pastimes was the Green Bay Packers. Ironically, as a Philadelphia Eagles fan in 1960 he saw his Eagles beat the Lombardi-coached Packers in the NFL Championship game at Philadelphia's Franklin Field. Little did he know that just ten years later his conversion to Packer fan would begin. He was known for strongly expressing his opinions during games. In 1997 he and his three sons watched the Packers win the NFC Championship from the stands at Lambeau Field.
His greatest joy was his family and spending time with his wife, sons, grandsons, and great grandchildren. He was affectionately referred to as G-Dawg by his great grandchildren. With the entire family together, he celebrated his 90th birthday this past October.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Mary Denney, and sister Peggy Denney Cancelmo. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Sheila; his children William (Karen), Drew, and Christopher; grandsons Thomas (Kathryn) and Peter (Samantha); and great grandchildren Addie, Alex, Will, Emily, Noah, Finley, and Charlie.
Services will be held on January 4, 2024, at St. Raphael’s the Archangel Catholic Church in Oshkosh at 11:00 a.m. with the Most Reverend Daniel Felton presiding with concelebrants Father Tom Long and Father Francis Foley. Visitation is scheduled between 9:30 a.m. until shortly before the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Raphael’s the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 South Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh Wisconsin 54904, are appreciated.
You will be missed, but never forgotten. In time, we shall see you again. A grateful family loves you…Godspeed.
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