George William Denlinger

Born March 8, 1923, in Darke County, OH, George William “Bill” Denlinger epitomized the Greatest Generation of Americans—those who lived through the Depression, served proudly in World War II, and shared with all he met such enduring values as love of family, respect for others, a sense of optimism and humor, dogged persistence, and dedication to hard work. Bill died in Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton on June 8, 2024, after receiving numerous heartfelt tributes from family and friends. He was 101 years old.

Bill was employed at Frigidaire GM plant #2 in Moraine, OH, when inducted into the service in September 1943 at the age of 19. Offered the choice of military branch in which to serve, he chose the Navy. He went to boot camp in Green Bay, WI.

After boot camp and assignments to several other training bases to learn radio, radar, and weaponry, he ended up in Banana River, FL (near Cape Canaveral), for aviation training. He was given the choice of aircraft type and chose the 11-crewmen PBM flying boat. His combat duty assignment was with VPB 207, stationed in Bermuda. He crewed as an aviation machinist’s mate aboard a PBM-3S flying boat, serving as flight engineer as well as radar operator. Their mission was to escort allied convoys and conduct 10- to 12-hour anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic.

After the war, Bill was transferred to Norman, OK, for training on the Privateer (Navy version of the B-24 Liberator). Before completing this last assignment, he was honorably discharged on January 1, 1946.

A civilian again, Bill returned to work at Frigidaire and later worked at IRC (International Resistance Corp), PR Mallory, and Data Corp (later to become Mead Corp). His working career involved mechanical and design engineering. Always the creative thinker, Bill’s name appears on seven patents registered with the US Patent and Trade Office. Bill retired from Mead Technology Labs in 1988.

Along with his beloved wife, Sylvia, Bill fathered five children: three boys (Bill, Dwight, Mark) and two girls (Robin, Lisa), all of whom grew into successful and happy adults, with the boys fathering children of their own.

Unfortunately, Bill lost his dear wife Sylvia after 48 years of marriage in April 1990 and sadly, Bill’s youngest son Mark died unexpectedly in 2020.

Bill was blessed to find love again with Ann Lenz. With their marriage in 1991, Bill added three stepchildren and their spouses to his family: a daughter (Cyndie) and two sons (Randall, Steve). He and Ann traveled extensively and made improvements over the years to their five-acre homestead in Springboro, which had been in the Denlinger family since the mid-1950s.

Still harboring a fondness for aviation, Bill volunteered at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH, in March of 1998. Working in the museum’s restoration area, he spent hours creating dimensioned drawings of parts and assemblies for which no drawings or specifications were available. His drawings were used in the museum’s machine shop to fabricate assemblies that were subsequently installed in aircraft being restored for display in the public area. There are several aircraft on display containing fabricated parts resulting from Bill’s attention to detail and drafting expertise. Bill left the museum shop in 2018 with more than 7,000 volunteer hours under his belt.

After leaving his volunteer position, Bill continued to tinker with projects around the house and in his yard and garage. He and Ann had many caring friends nearby, one of whom—on the occasion of Bill’s 100th birthday—treated him and family members to a flight to Springfield, IL, to visit the Lincoln Museum and home. Bill was honorary grandfather to neighbors Andrew and Zachary Gunlock, who helped keep the driveway cleared of snow every winter and who marveled at Bill’s “insanely organized” toolbox.

For a centenarian, Bill’s mental acuity was remarkable. He had a journeyman’s grasp of today’s technology and thoroughly enjoyed new electronics and the challenges they presented. When not puttering about his manor, he could be found in his favorite easy chair watching YouTube videos or enjoying the company of Ann and their combined families.

In September 2023, Bill and Ann moved into an independent living apartment in Bethany Village in Centerville, OH. His optimism and sense of humor never diminished, and frequent calls from family and friends guaranteed that the phone never stopped ringing at their home.

Bill was son to Ruth and Orlan Denlinger; husband to Sylvia (who died in 1990) and Ann (whom he married in 1991); brother to David Denlinger and Nancy Young; father to Bill, Dwight, Mark (died 2020), Robin, and Lisa; and grandfather to Julie Shock, Eric Denlinger, Jill Willis, Scott Denlinger, Becky Morningstar, John Denlinger, and Brian Denlinger. Bill had 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. He was also much loved by his children-in-law, Cyndie and Chris Widmer, Steve and Lisa Lenz, and Randall and Sophia Lenz.

Bill was a good man and one of the finest gentlemen you could ever meet. He will be missed greatly.

A Visitation for George will be held Friday, June 14, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45429. A Masonic Service and Funeral Service will occur Friday, June 14, 2024 at 12:00 PM, 5471 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45429. A burial with Navy military honors will occur Friday, June 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Miami Valley Memory Gardens Chapel, 1639 E. Lytle Five Points Road Centerville, OH 45458.