William E. Dent (Bill)
Mr. William E. "Bill" Dent, 94, formerly of Abilene, Texas, was born on November 5,
1925 in Azle, Texas to Robert Lee and Alma Daughtery Dent. Bill, as he was
affectionally known, was born into eternal life on (October 26, 2020) at the home of his
daughter, Delinda Dent of Richmond, Kentucky surrounded by family and friends.

Bill spent his childhood days in Azle, Texas and at the age of 19, he enlisted in the
United States Army, serving in the 41 st  Division Infantry during WWII. Within days after
the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Bill's division was assigned to assist the
Japanese military in cleaning up the aftermath. To assist with the low morale of this
daunting task, a football "league" was formed as Bill's team, the Jungleers, played
several games against other branches of the military teams. He spoke fondly of playing
in the Tokyo Rose Bowl Classic on New Year's Day in 1946 as a right guard and kept
hand drawn plays that he and his fellow soldiers created. The Jungleers won by a
victory of 27-2.

Upon discharge from the Army in September of 1946, Bill returned to Abilene, Texas
where he met and married his sweetheart, Lillie Faye Burnett on November 11, 1947.
Bill spent his 45-year career in management with the Furr's Grocery Stores as a store
planning coordinator for 78 stores, as a District Manager/District Supervisor. Bill's
career with Furr's included managerial assignments in Midland and El Paso, Texas and
Denver, Colorado before returning to Abilene, Texas in 1995.  He was also a member of
the Board of Directors of Furr's Grocery. Upon the death of his first wife, Bill married
June Chron Price on November 1, 1997 in Abilene, Texas. He often said how many
men are blessed with two wonderful wives.

Bill was involved in his community and church, giving tirelessly to those in need. At the
First Baptist Church in Abilene, Bill served as the Coordinator of Abilene Social
Ministries, an outreach program to provide food and clothing to needy families. In 2010,
Bill received the Outstanding Service Award by the Mental Health Association of
Abilene (MHAA) in recognition for his community involvement with ensuring hungry
families had enough food. He was a Deacon and was an active member of the
Fellowship Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, Abilene, Texas. He served as
chairman of the Deacons, President of Baptist Men and Director and teacher of young
singles in Sunday School while living in Denver. Bill was actively involved with the
Denver Lions Club and the Arapahoe County Sherriff's Posse in addition he was a 50
year 32 nd  Degree Mason of the George Washington Lodge in Denver.
Bill greatly loved his family and friends. He was a man of great influence in the lives of
his daughter and grandchildren, brought happiness and laughter into the lives of many.
Bill was preceded in death by Delinda's mom, Lillie Faye Burnett Dent on September 4,
1995 and June C. Price Dent on May 20, 2018, in addition to his parents, Robert and
Alma Dent, and two brothers Robert (Bob) Dent and James (Jimmy) Dent. He is
survived by his daughter, Dr. Delinda Dent and husband John Lackey of Richmond; a
sister, Louise Dent Sherrick of Ft. Worth, Texas;  two granddaughters, Dr. Alisha Melina

Wray and husband, Dr. Justin Wray of Waco, Texas; Dr. Katibeth Sharp and husband,
Andrew Sharp of Richmond, Kentucky; two step-daughters, Virginia Kay Brown and
husband Ben Brown of Dallas, Texas and Norma Judy Oles and husband Mike Oles of
Lubbock, Texas; and step-granddaughter Melissa Hodge and husband Travis od Dallas
Texas two great-granddaughters, Lyra Bell Wray and Ella Lillie Wray of Waco, Texas,
step- great grandson Benjamin Hodge, and his special little buddy Reid Friend of
Lexington Kentucky in addition to a host of nieces, nephews and the extended
Lackey/Friend family.
Bill asked his son-in-law John Lackey to conduct his graveside service just prior to his
death.

Pallbearers include Andrew Sharp, Don Shillingburg, Dr. Justin Wray, Mike Oles, Ben
Brown, and Woodrow Friend.

Honorary pallbearers include Grady Dorsett, Rev. L.D. Patrick, Hector Duran, Dr. Julian
Bridges, Rev. Marcus Driggers, and Ed Cox.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the William E. & Lillie F. Dent
Endowed Memorial Scholarship of Hardin-Simmons University, P.O. Box 16100,
Abilene, Texas, 79698 or to White Oak Pond Church 1238 Barnes Mill Road, Richmond
Ky 40475, Hospice Care, 350 Issacs Ln, Richmond, Kentucky40475.
A graveside service will be conducted at Erath Gardens of Memory, 6811 S. Highway
377, Dublin, Texas.