James William DELANEY

DELANEY James William (Bill), 88, passed away Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at Hospice Care Center in Lexington after a lengthy illness. He was born Nov 28, 1921 to Benjamin Letcher and Lillian Woodward Delaney. Survivors are his former wife and mother of his two children, Evelyn C. Delaney, his children and their spouses, Carolyn Delaney (David) Elliott of Lexington, and William Gary (Sheri) Delaney of Zephyrhills, Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren; Jennifer Hillard and her children, Carolyn, Paula and William Boswell of Lexington, Christa Coverts (Esther Tillman), Terry Lynn (Jason) Caauwe, Tammy Delaney and Jacob Delaney, all of Florida. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ben Delaney, Jr., Robert P. Delaney and Donald A. Delaney. Bill was in the U.S. Army from December 22, 1942 to December 5, 1945 serving in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Staff Sergeant Delaney was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war he went to work for the Veterans Administration Office in Indianapolis, transferred to the VA in Louisville in 1966 and retired from the Lexington VA Office in 1976 with a total of 35 years of government service. He often said "this was the beginning of the good life" as he went to work part-time as a tour guide for Bluegrass Tours and AAA of the Bluegrass, volunteered for 20 years at Central Baptist Hospital, lived in Florida for 25 winters and traveled in all 50 states and many foreign countries on five continents. However, his greatest joy was knowing and loving the Lord, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, gardening and camping. Bill was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Adult Bible Sunday School Class and Seniors of Centenary. He was a regular visitor to Gardenside Christian Church on Sunday evenings. Bill was a member of the Robert M. Sirkle Masonic Lodge 954 F&AM and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. Visitation will be from 3-5pm and 7-9pm on Mon at Milward-Southland with a masonic service at 7pm Funeral services will be 1:30pm Tue at the funeral home with Rev. Joe Cooper and Rev. Joe Bob Grider officiating. Burial to follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Don Lawson, Steve Clancy, Bill Woodward (of Cincinnati), Richard Maloney, Jason Caauwe and Jacob Delaney. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lexington Habitat for Humanity, 1260 Industry Road, Lexington, Ky. 40505 or Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, Ky. 40504. The family appreciates the many acts of kindness shown to them by his home caretakers (Rose, Judy, Janet and Lesley), the staff and volunteers of Hospice and his Richmond Place Rehab Center nurses. www.milwardfuneral.com