Mr. John William “Bill” Denton, 72, of Gladstone Road, Mocksville, died Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

He was born March 5, 1944, in New York, to the late John William Denton Sr. and the late Irene Cox Denton. He was a designated airworthiness representative who inspected, examined and certified new installations on existing aircrafts. He was a member of the ODA Inspection Unit, and a certified engineer with HECO Cabin Solutions that designs, manufactures, and installs prototype aero craft interiors. As a DAR, he was able to visit many countries, explored many cultures, and made many friends during his travels. He was a giving mentor to his colleagues, and was respected within his work community. He recently received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for 50 years of service. He was a loving and committed family man who enjoyed sitting on the porch and reading political and historical books. He was mostly found doting over his wife Linda while they enjoyed visiting historical places and listening to bluegrass and jazz music. They enjoyed sitting on the back porch in the double swing listening to the birds sing, watching the squirrels play, and the hummingbirds fight over the feeders. The grandchildren enjoyed sitting around the campfire in the backyard as dinner was being cooked over an open fire, and listening to their papa tell either true or made up stories just to make them laugh. He also enjoyed traveling and visiting his grands in Florida.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force from July 16, 1962 to July 15, 1968 with honorable discharge and received the National Defense Service Medal, and an Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Nayda Estrella Rodriguez Denton; and siblings, John Paul Denton, George Michael Denton, Joseph Denton and Elizabeth Denton.

Survivors: his wife, Linda Spry Denton of the home; 3 children, John William Denton III (Lynn), David Wayne Denton (Tina) and Timothy Ramon Denton; 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 4 step-children, Eric Dwiggins (Lisa), Chris Dwiggins, Amanda Dwiggins and Catherine Overcash (Justin); 5 step-grandchildren; and siblings, Robert Denton (Doris), Francis Denton, David Owen Denton and Daniel Denton.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, May 20 at Liberty United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brad Cunningham and Dr. Glenn Myers officiating. Burial was at 9 a.m. Monday, May 23 in Salisbury National Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at Eaton Funeral Home.

Memorials: Baptist Children’s Home, 204 Idol St., Thomasville, 27360.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.