William Hastings and Ruth Denney

1920 - 2010

William (Bill) Hastings Denney March 28, 1920 - October 22, 2010 A joint memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, 11:00 a.m., at RiverLakes Community Church to celebrate the life of Bill Denney and his beloved wife of 69 1/2 years, Ruth Denney, who preceded him in death by just five days. Bill was born on the original Denney Homestead in Beaverton, Oregon. He was the 5th of six children born to Robert Benjamin Denney and Margaret Asbahr Denney. During the great depression, his first job delivering the evening newspaper began at the age of six. From his early teens on he worked steadily, baling hay, milking cows, to help support the family. At the age of 18, he became the family spokesman and obtained a loan to purchase what became the Denney Brothers Dairy. Bill and Ruth's only courtship consisted of her riding along and helping him deliver milk. They were married April 25, 1941. Shortly after the end of WWII, the dairy was sold and Bill joined his brothers to form the Denney Logging Co. The logging business took them to various places on the West Coast, ending up in Kernville, CA. During his years in the lumber industry his real passion was doing God's work in local churches. Upon retirement from logging in 1974 Bill and Ruth moved to Bakersfield, CA where he joined the ministerial staff at Fruitvale Community Church (now RiverLakes Community Church). Until his death, he was active on the church board. Love, kindness, generosity and wisdom epitomized his life. Bill is survived by sons Clifford (wife Connie) and Bill (wife Theda); daughters Harriet Schaad (husband David), Kathryn Forshey-Trabert (husband Tom) and Margaret Kiltz; 15 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and the last of his siblings, his youngest sister Lorraine Denney Olsen. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, father Robert Benjamin Denney, mother Margaret Asbahr Denney, and numerous other family members. A joint graveside service will occur on November 20, 2010 at the Crescent Grove Cemetery in Tigard, Oregon. Memorial contributions may be made to RiverLakes Community Church. Basham Funeral Care www.bakersfield.com/obits