Celebrating the life of
Wells Denyes
April 22, 1929 - April 24, 2008
WELLS DENYES
Wells Denyes died Thursday, April 24, 2008 in Savannah, Georgia. He was born in Chicago, Illinois to Katherine Wells Denyes and Lawrence O. Denyes. As an infant he moved with his parents to Kenosha, WI. He was raised and attended public schools in Kenosha. In high school he was an honor roll student and member of the high school swimming team. Upon graduation from high school, he received a full academic scholarship from the Jockey Corporation to attend North Carolina State University. At NC State he was very active in school activities including being a class officer for two years, a member of the Thirty and Three Leadership Organization. He lettered on NC State's swimming team and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
1951 was a significant year in his life. In June he graduated from NC State with a BS in Textile Engineering. He immediately began a 40 year career with Eastman Kodak starting at Tennessee Eastman Company the Chemical Division of Kodak. In September he and Sally Bizzell were married in Raleigh, NC and in October he entered with US Navy for a two year tour of duty.
Upon discharge from the Navy, they returned to Kingsport, TN and Wells worked for nearly twenty years at Eastman in various assignments of manufacturing, development and marketing. After about a year serving on loan to the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C. they returned to Kingsport, TN. Soon thereafter he was assigned to Kodak's Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. where he spent the remainder of his career. He returned in 1991 as Vice President and Director of Government Relations for Kodak. While in the Washington, D.C. area they were both involved in Trinity United Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA where Wells chaired several committees including Chairman of the Administrative Board. Wells was also active in many Trade Associations and business groups.
Upon retirement he and Sally moved to the Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, GA. There they made many new and wonderful friends, enjoyed golf, and traveled a good bit. They were active in Republican Party activities. Wells was a long time member of the Board and served as Chairman of the Skidaway Island Republican Club. Sally and Wells were both active in Skidaway Island United Methodist Church and Wells served as Chairman of several committees including the Administrative Board of the Church. Wells was also an active member of the Skidaway Island Kiwanis Club and a volunteer at Hospice Savannah.
Wells was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sally Bizzell Denyes of 56 years of marriage and is survived by son Larry Denyes and his wife Khris and their daughter Jennifer of Bradenton, FL. Also by his daughter, Sally Lynn Denyes Palatiello and her husband John and their sons, Nicholas and Michael of Reston, VA.
A Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2008 at Skidaway Island Methodist Church.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416 or to Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, 54 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411.
FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS DIRCETORS HODGSON CHAPEL
Please sign our guestbook online at www.foxandweeks.com
I have many fond memories of your dad and grandfather from my days in Washington, DC. Wells was a wonderful boss - always caring and gently pushing our agenda forward. Every morning he made a point to stop by each office with coffee in hand to wish us a good day and ask us what we had planned for the day. If all the lobbyists in Washington and all public policy makers were like Wells Denyes, we certainly wouldn't have the political problems we have today. You have a wonderful legacy!
- Suzanne Welch, Rochester, NY
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Wells and Sally. They were dear friends of ours, we spent a lot of good times in Republican politics together. Both were such loyal Republicans and Patriotic Americans. Wells was one of the finest and most decent men I have had the honor to know. We loved them both. The Landings and Savannah will miss them greatly! Sincerely,
- Jerry & Bonnie Loupee, Savannah, GA
Larry and Lynn, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father and the passing of your mother as well. It was always a pleasure to play at your house because your parents were so kind to everyone. Larry this does bring back many fond memories, one being your talent in grade school to take your hands and put them in many shapes and blowing into your hands to make a whistle sound. I do not know if you remember this but it seems like yesterday to me. I know this is a difficult time for you and your sister and I want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Stewart Taylor
- Stewart Taylor, Kingsport, TN
Wells was truly a gentle man and Sally was the epitome of a southern lady. They will be missed. We have many fond memories of their graciousness.
- Ernie & Lee Marmaras, Savannah, GA
Sally and Wells were very special, loving people, and they were always each other's best friend. Although we will miss them deeply, I hope it gives your family some peace to know that they are together again and are no longer in pain.
- Susan Deaver, Jackson, MS
He will be missed. He was a good and honorable man.
- Walter & Ann Fisch, Savanah, GA
Wells was fun to play golf with. He was always interested in what was going on in your life. I am a Sigma Nu, as well. Wish I had known we had that in common. I always enjoyed hearing Wells talk about Sally and his family. He was so proud of them.
- Colin Stewart, Savannah, GA
WELLS WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND LOYAL CONTRIBUTOR TO EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY. I WORKED CLOSELY WITH HIM DURING MOST OF HIS CAREER AND LASTLY IN WASHINGTON. MY SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO YOU EARNIE DEAVENPORT
- EARNIE DEAVENPORT, Kiawah Island, SC
We have lost and will deeply miss Wells and Sally, our very dear friends!
- Alice and Allen Cywin, Savannah, GA
Wells was a wonderful friend and fraternity brother. We still treasure the memories of sixty years ago, and we will truly miss Wells and Sally.
- Edwin and Marilee Armstrong, Burlington, NC
Lynn and Larry: I worked with Wells in Government Relations at Eastman Chemical for many years and we talked often since his retirement in Dec. 1991. He came by my office in DC for lunch about 10 years ago during one of his visits to Reston. Wells was smart, articulate and had a great personality. We will all miss him. He was a great leader for Eastman.
- D. Lynn Johnson, Kingsport, TN
Ourcondolences,he was agood friend, neighbor,fellow golfer and a great asset to Eastman,to Kingsport and were sure to the greator Savannah area.He will be missed by all.
- george &mary gosselin, kingsport, TN
The Sigma Nu Reunion will never be the same without both Wells and Sally. They will always be in our hearts. So glad we talked with Wells a few weeks ago.
- Bill & Elise Dyer, Washington, NC
I have many fond memories of your dad and grandfather from my days in Washington, DC. Wells was a wonderful boss - always caring and gently pushing our agenda forward. Every morning he made a point to stop by each office with coffee in hand to wish us a good day and ask us what we had planned for the day. If all the lobbyists in Washington and all public policy makers were like Wells Denyes, we certainly wouldn't have the political problems we have today. You have a wonderful legacy!
- Suzanne Welch, Rochester, NY
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Wells and Sally. They were dear friends of ours, we spent a lot of good times in Republican politics together. Both were such loyal Republicans and Patriotic Americans. Wells was one of the finest and most decent men I have had the honor to know. We loved them both. The Landings and Savannah will miss them greatly! Sincerely,
- Jerry & Bonnie Loupee, Savannah, GA
Larry and Lynn, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father and the passing of your mother as well. It was always a pleasure to play at your house because your parents were so kind to everyone. Larry this does bring back many fond memories, one being your talent in grade school to take your hands and put them in many shapes and blowing into your hands to make a whistle sound. I do not know if you remember this but it seems like yesterday to me. I know this is a difficult time for you and your sister and I want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Stewart Taylor
- Stewart Taylor, Kingsport, TN
Wells was truly a gentle man and Sally was the epitome of a southern lady. They will be missed. We have many fond memories of their graciousness.
- Ernie & Lee Marmaras, Savannah, GA
Sally and Wells were very special, loving people, and they were always each other's best friend. Although we will miss them deeply, I hope it gives your family some peace to know that they are together again and are no longer in pain.
- Susan Deaver, Jackson, MS
He will be missed. He was a good and honorable man.
- Walter & Ann Fisch, Savanah, GA
Wells was fun to play golf with. He was always interested in what was going on in your life. I am a Sigma Nu, as well. Wish I had known we had that in common. I always enjoyed hearing Wells talk about Sally and his family. He was so proud of them.
- Colin Stewart, Savannah, GA
WELLS WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND LOYAL CONTRIBUTOR TO EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY. I WORKED CLOSELY WITH HIM DURING MOST OF HIS CAREER AND LASTLY IN WASHINGTON. MY SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO YOU EARNIE DEAVENPORT
- EARNIE DEAVENPORT, Kiawah Island, SC
We have lost and will deeply miss Wells and Sally, our very dear friends!
- Alice and Allen Cywin, Savannah, GA
Wells was a wonderful friend and fraternity brother. We still treasure the memories of sixty years ago, and we will truly miss Wells and Sally.
- Edwin and Marilee Armstrong, Burlington, NC
Lynn and Larry: I worked with Wells in Government Relations at Eastman Chemical for many years and we talked often since his retirement in Dec. 1991. He came by my office in DC for lunch about 10 years ago during one of his visits to Reston. Wells was smart, articulate and had a great personality. We will all miss him. He was a great leader for Eastman.
- D. Lynn Johnson, Kingsport, TN
Ourcondolences,he was agood friend, neighbor,fellow golfer and a great asset to Eastman,to Kingsport and were sure to the greator Savannah area.He will be missed by all.
- george &mary gosselin, kingsport, TN
The Sigma Nu Reunion will never be the same without both Wells and Sally. They will always be in our hearts. So glad we talked with Wells a few weeks ago.
- Bill & Elise Dyer, Washington, NC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
