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William A. Denham
Died December 28, 2013
NORTHPORT
– William Alfred (Bill) Denham, 89, of
Northport joined the saints triumphant in heaven on Saturday, December 28, 2013
in Traverse City. There he is reunited
and together forever with Shirley, his loving bride of 65 years, who went
before him on May 14, 2013.
Bill
was born on January 14, 1924 in Detroit to William and Alvina (Koss) Denham. He
is the eldest of four brothers (William, Richard, Harold, and Frederick), so
from an early age he served as interpreter for his deaf parents.
Bill proudly served in the U.S. Navy during
World War II, first as a pilot, then in the “Silent Service” as a submariner.
He held a wide variety of jobs through the years, but eventually partnered to
develop Northland Plastics in Troy to a very successful firm before “retiring”
and moving to Northport in 1972 where he became a home builder and real estate
agent.
While living in Northport he attended Immanuel
Lutheran Church in Leland where he served in many different positions,
including more than a decade as an Elder.
We
are grateful to the many helpful and compassionate friends, church family, and
medical staff that assisted Bill and Shirley during their last years, and the
family would especially like to thank the staff at Boardman Lake
Glens-Brigadoon and Hospice of Michigan for their heart-felt loving care for
all of us during Bill and Shirley’s last days.
They
will be greatly missed and long remembered by their Christian family; William
A. (Mary) Denham III of Springfield, Illinois, Christopher R. (Deborah) Denham
of Murray, Kentucky, the late Charles T. (Lisa) Denham of Traverse City,
Kimberley S. (Mark) Krueger of Lake Orion, Michigan, eight grandchildren, six
great-grandchildren, and Bill’s surviving brother, Fred Denham of Drummond
Island, Michigan.
The
funeral service was held on Tuesday, December 31 at 11 a.m., with
visitation one hour prior, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Leland. Burial will be in the spring at the Leelanau
Township Cemetery, Northport.
Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran
Church, c/o Organ Fund, PO Box 436, Leland, MI, 49654 and/or Hospice of
Michigan, c/o Traverse City, 112 Chisholm St, Alpena, MI, 49707-2446.
Please share memories with Bill’s family at
their online obituary at www.martinson.info
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral
Home of Suttons Bay.
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI), we offer our most sincere condolences and sympathy to William III (Mary), Christopher (Deborah), Kimberly (Mark), and all of William’s family and friends in this time of sorrow. God bless you with peace, comfort you, and heal your broken hearts. We are especially thankful for Bill’s service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service during and after WWII on the USS Sabalo SS-302 SN(SS) 1945-46 and on which he was a Plankowner. To our “Brother of the Dolphin” we say … "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country."
ReplyDeleteSo, heavenly Father add his name to the roll
Of our departed shipmates still on patrol.
Let them know that we who survive
Will always keep their memories alive.
Bless those who serve beneath the deep,
Through lonely hours their vigil keep.
May peace their mission ever be!
Protect each one, we ask of Thee.
Bless those at home who wait and pray
For their return by night and day.
William ‘Bill’ Alfred Denham, SN(SS), US Navy, Now on Eternal Patrol.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
His record is now posted online in the Eternal Patrol file on the USSVI website.
Rev. Ray Fritz, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.