Ernest Denney

Ernest Leray Denney of Fort Smith passed away on March 2, 2023, at age 97. He was born in Muncie, Indiana on July 21, 1925, to his parents, William Puryl Denney and Mabel Helen Metzger Denney, and graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1943. He was an Army veteran, serving in the 71st Infantry Division in France, Germany and Austria in 1944 and 1945 during World War II. Afterward he graduated from Purdue University in 1949 and worked for 20 years as an aeronautical engineer, working on missiles and space capsules in the space program. In 1970 he became the owner of Across the Street Restaurant on Zero Street in Fort Smith, and then in 1976 he became the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealer in Fort Smith until 2005, and became the Harley Dealer in Springfield, Missouri from 1989 to 2021. In later years he enjoyed traveling to various countries in Europe with his children.

In 1948 Ernest was married to the love of his life, Veatrice Vivian Duncan Denney, also of Muncie, Indiana, who preceded him in death. He is survived by their three sons, Gary Ray Denney of Fort Smith and his fiancee, Cassandra Williams, Bruce Allen Denney of Fort Smith and his wife, Cindy Crawley Denney, and Mark Jeffrey Denney of Springfield, Missouri. He is also survived by a grandson, Christopher Denney of Springfield, Missouri; and by a granddaughter, Amanda Denney Stehle and her husband, Brian Stehle, and their daughter, Sara Stehle, all of Springfield, Missouri. He had another grandson, Jeffrey Denney, who preceded him in death, and he is survived by Jeffrey Denney's son, Draven Denney of Springfield, Missouri.

Visitation will be at Edwards Funeral Home on Sunday, March 5th, from 2 PM to 4 PM. There will be a graveside service at Oak Cemetery on Monday, March 6th at 2 PM.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com