Cover photo for William J. Denton's Obituary
William J. Denton Profile Photo
1928 William 2010

William J. Denton

April 14, 1928 — July 31, 2010

Denton, William Joseph
“Bill”

William J. Denton, age 82, of Appleton, passed away on Saturday, July 31, 2010 with his family by his side. Bill was born April 15, 1928 in Bristol, Tennessee, the son of the late Willis and Wilma (Bowman) Denton. He was a 1945 graduate of Fullerton High School in Fullerton, Nebraska and a graduate of Doane College in Crete, Nebraska with a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration. Bill proudly served his country on the front lines in the Korean War during 1951 – 52. In 1959, he joined U.S. Gypsum Company as a sales representative. He worked for a time in Milwaukee and then transferred to Janesville in 1960, and eventually moved to Neenah in 1966, retiring in 1987.

Bill married Barbara Isaksen on September 13, 1958. “Billy D.” as he was affectionately known to his golfing friends, was an avid golfer, making long-lasting friendships. His love for the game started in 1952, with three hole-in-ones throughout his golfing career. He was also a past member of the Ridgeway Country Club, Foxfire Golf Club, and the Happy 100. Bill also had a great love for singing and was a member of Appleton’s MacDowell Male Chorus for 29 years. He was also a huge fan of his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Green Bay Packers. Bill had a great love for life and for people. “Papoo”, as he was called by his grandchildren, especially enjoyed the time he spent with his family and neighbors at their cottage in Waupaca. Bill was truly a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Barbara; daughters: Paige (Grant) Stepan of Chicago and Amy (Ray) Hoeper of Neenah; grandchildren: Claire and Campbell Stepan of Chicago and Sydney and Mason Hoeper of Neenah; sisters: Lois (Howard) Johnson of Omaha, NE, Kathleen (Oliver) Nesbitt of Lincoln, NE, and Gloria (Wendell) Brooks of Honolulu, HI; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lillian (Bob) Johnson; and a brother, Richard (Delores) Denton.

A memorial service for Bill will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 325 E. Franklin Street in Appleton. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Bill’s name with the Community Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1534, Appleton, WI 54912-1534.

The family would like to thank all of Bill’s caregivers for their unending compassion throughout this difficult journey. We all will surely miss his loving smile and his gentle touch.

Golfer Singer Soldier Friend

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 739-1231

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William J. Denton, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Starts at 9:00 am

First United Methodist Church

325 E Franklin St, Appleton, WI 54911

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am

First United Methodist Church

325 E Franklin St, Appleton, WI 54911

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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