Walter Neely Denton Sr.

Walter N. Denton, Sr. passed away quietly at his home on March 31, 2023, surrounded by all who loved him the most. He was 89 years old. “Smokey,” as he was affectionately known to family and friends, was born on April 3, 1933, in Thayer, Missouri to Willard Henry and Beulah May Hackett Denton. Soon after finishing high school, Smokey enlisted in the United States Navy. He served 10 years with the Navy, including tours of duty in the Philippines and on the carrier USS Wasp in the North Atlantic. While serving his country, he was transferred to Pensacola Naval Air Station where he met his beloved wife Nancy Jean Brannon in Foley, Alabama. They married on March 7, 1957, and shared 66 wonderful years together as husband and wife. He and Nancy were both members of the Foley Presbyterian Church and later the

Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church when they moved to Birmingham, Alabama to be closer to their sons. He was an elder, deacon, and sang in the choir. Smokey spent most of his civilian career working in military aircraft maintenance for both the United States Air Force and the United States Navy. He retired from civil service while employed at the Naval Air Rework Facility at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard Henry and Beulah May Hackett Denton, his loving brothers Willard (Yvonne) and Chuck Denton, and his loving sister Juanita Denton Williams. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his sister Willean Denton Hornbeck (Le), his brother-in-law Don

Williams, his sons Neely (Lynn) and James (Stephanie), his grandchildren Margaret Ann Denton, Alex Denton (Roxanna), Angela Anselmo (John), Nicholas Denton, Matthew Denton, Andrew Denton, and great grandchildren Sam and Eli Denton.

A graveside service for Walter will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM at Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Hwy 119, Montevallo, AL 35115.

Please make memorial donations to The Bell Center, 1700 29th Court South, Homewood, AL 35209, and Alabama Game Changers, 2111 Parkway Office Circle, Suite 150, Hoover, Alabama 35244.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridouts.com for the Denton family.