William Bryan Denston

LAKE HELEN – William Bryan Denston (Bill), 92, of Lake Helen, FL died January 23, 2026, after an extended illness. Bill is survived by the children of his marriage to Margie Denston Underwood, Daniel, Rebecca Abeling (Richard) and Phillip and the daughters Shirley Denston brought to their marriage, Kathryn Beers and Connie Hollingsworth. He also has three granddaughters, Ashley Abeling, Laura Smith (Amanda) and Amy Uppercue (Craig) and was blessed with six great grandchildren. Bill will be missed by his extended family and friends, particularly his church family from Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand, FL, where he was a member and church leader for nearly 40 years.

Bill was a graduate of Union University in Jackson, TN and attended Southeastern Theological Seminary in NC. During his pastoral career, he pastored a number of churches including Pleasant Hill Baptist in Kentucky, Elim Baptist in Tennessee, Oak City Baptist in North Carolina, Wilroy Baptist Church in Suffolk, Virginia and Sunset Hills Baptist in Alexandria, Virginia.

After retirement, Bill continued in the work of caring for others at Allen-Summerhill DeLand. In retirement, Bill enjoyed traveling with Shirley and spending time with their great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Stetson Baptist Church’s building fund, work that was close to Bill’s heart.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 4th at 11am at Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand with the family receiving friends from 10 – 11am prior to the service. Allen-Summerhill DeLand is in charge of arrangements

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