Henry Willis Denton

Henry Willis Denton, Jr., age 82, of Mt. Zion, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy built on horsepower, hard work, and heart.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Pagel Funeral Home in St. Peter, Illinois, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Vandalia City Cemetery. Reverend Timothy Moon will be presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor him by helping someone fix something, telling a good story, or simply lending a hand, just like he always did.
Henry was born on October 25, 1943 in Vandalia, Illinois, the son of Henry Willis Denton, Sr. and Francis Darlene Kagy. He was a proud veteran, gifted mechanic, devoted father, and loving grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived life with a wrench in one hand and his family close to the other. Born with a passion for engines and a gift for fixing anything with wheels or wires, he proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a military mechanic. That service, and the skills he sharpened there, set the foundation for a lifelong career dedicated to his craft and his community. He was the proud owner and operator of Mt. Zion Auto Clinic and A1 Auto Service and spent many years working for the City of Decatur. Earlier in his career, he worked at Sug's Garage in Vandalia, forming lasting friendships over lifted hoods and oil-stained hands. In his younger years, he was a fierce competitor on the dirt tracks, racing stock cars with grit and skill earning numerous wins and respect in the racing community. Off the track, he brought that same precision and drive into everything he built from remodeling homes to tinkering with tools around the house. If it could be fixed, shaped, or improved, he found a way. But as much as he loved engines and tools, his greatest pride was his family. He built a life of deep loyalty and love never too busy to lend a hand, share a story, or pass down his knowledge. He leaves behind not just memories, but a legacy of loyalty, humor, and know-how. Whether under the hood or around the dinner table, he showed up with heart and gave all he had.
Henry is survived by his son, Justin Denton (Rosalina) of Ottawa, Illinois; grandchildren, Eddie, Alex, and Nick; great-grandchildren, Lilly, Tyller, Blake, Everette, and Felix; brothers, Robert Bingham (Mary) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Randy Bingham (Rebekah) of Fair Dale, Kentucky, and Tracy Denton; sisters, Linda Davis of Rockford, Illinois, Virginia Trites (John) of Rockford, Illinois, Sybrinia Lineberry (Jerry) of St. Peter, Illinois, Paula Clymer (Mike) of Centralia, Illinois, and April Louge of Vandalia, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Renee Denton; brother, Ronnie Denton; sisters, Jean Durr Denton and Roberta Bingham; and brother-in-law, Larry Davis.
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