Willard A. S. Denham

Willard Allen Speakman Denham passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024, surrounded by love. He was born in 1931, the fourth child of William Bailey Denham and Susanna Speakman Denham. From the moment he entered the world, he made it a better place. As the youngest, he was determined to keep up and stand out. With a twinkle in his eye, an ever present, infectious smile on his face and a mischievous grin he was nicknamed Sunshine or Sonny. He kept his parents busy while he and his older brother found all kinds of trouble. Some stories are just too naughty to share.

He attended Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware then followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers by attending Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut.  When he arrived at Westminster, a teacher promptly dubbed him WAS, which he was affectionately known as during his time there. He served as head prefect, excelled in sports and graduated in 1949. His love for Westminster was apparent as he continued to serve as a class agent, was a member of the Thring Society and served as a Fellow.

He threw himself whole-heartedly into the college experience, studying and of course having fun, at THE University of Virginia. He was a member of the St Elmo fraternity and studied psychology. Upon graduation in 1952, he entered into the Navy, graduating from Officer Candidate school in 1953. He served as a Lieutenant for 3 years.

After leaving the Navy, he went to work for Speakman Company where he served as Vice President and General Manager of Manufacturing for 45 years. Known as Will, he created and held many patents and traveled the world marketing Speakman. His coworkers described him as genial, with impeccable character and fine negotiating skills. So proud of his products, he handed out AnyStream shower heads to friends and family like they were party favors. They really are the best.

A life well lived also includes passions, of which Sonny had many. Anyone who knew Sonny knew his prowess on the golf course and his passion for the sport. Sonny was a member of many clubs, including Pine Valley, Wilmington Country Club and Bidermann. He was often found on the course with his brother Jim and in his later years, was quick to “coach” those on the driving range. He played Arnold Palmer in 1963 and rumor has it, Arnold didn’t win. What brought him even more joy than playing the game, was watching his grandchildren play. All of whom inherited his natural swing.  While he excelled at golf, his real love was flying. He loved nothing more than to hop into his twin Cessna and take off, much to the delight of his youngest and the chagrin of his wife and oldest. His other loves included hunting, fishing, flowers, dogs, driving and cars, music, Boca Grande, FL and talking about that beach house he was going to get one day. His biggest Love and Proudest accomplishments were his family.

Willard married his stunning bride, Cynthia Fulenwider on May 9, 1964. She was the love of his life. They were passionate about laughter, fun, people and family. They loved nothing more than a fabulous cocktail party.  Despite living within the same 2-mile radius their whole marriage, they traveled and enjoyed taking cruises and going on vacation with family and friends. The role he most cherished was that of father and grandfather. He was fortunate enough to have two beautiful daughters that kept him on his toes and loved him mercilessly and beyond words. Did they sometimes drive him crazy? Yes. Would he have had it any other way? No. He is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years and is survived by his daughters Cynthia Denham Smith and Susanna Denham Meserve, their husbands, James G Smith and Andrew E Meserve and five amazing grandchildren, Willard Covington Smith, Susanna Ridgley Smith, Stella Grace Meserve, Andrew Hill Meserve and Hugo Denham Meserve. He is preceded in death by his older siblings, William Bailey Denham Jr, Susanne Denham Singer and James Scott Denham III

Whether you knew him as Sonny, Sunshine, WAS, Willard, Will, Dad or Poppy, you knew him as a friend. He engaged with everyone that came his way, and he never met a stranger. We will forever remember him for his easy, contagious smile and that dazzling twinkle in his ocean blue eyes.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10:00 am at Christ Church Christiana Hundred.

In lieu of flowers, Sonny’s daughters ask that you please consider donating to The J Wood Platt Scholarship Trust which is set up to financially aid and empower qualified caddies and those working in golf operations in pursuit of higher education. https://plattscholar.org/donate/