Column: In tribute to a fine man, William A. Denton

You may have seen his recent obituary. We lost Bill Denton on October 8th, and he is making his final trip back home where he will be laid to rest this weekend in Elizabethtown. Bill's Father, William D. Denton, created the weekly newspaper, The Valley News, with approximately 500 copies circulating to serve the village in 1948. Other than being a voracious reader, Bill D. had no publishing experience. He had been a truck driver before roads were paved, tried his hand at civil engineering, worked at Republic Steel in Mineville during WWII, and helped his brother run the Elizabethtown IGA Food Store during the Great Depression. After graduating from Norwich Military College, Bill completed his military duty in Germany and, upon returning home, joined his father in the publishing business in 1958. He quickly saw an opportunity to grow the company well beyond the single newspaper, or as his Father would tell it, "Bill was a great asset to the paper; he was more of a pusher than I was." Over the next few years, Bill pushed the company to new levels. To accommodate his plans, he first incorporated the operation under the name Denton Publications to grow and serve other small publishers by investing in a new form of printing. He converted the press operation to modern photo-offset in 1960, and in doing so Bill Jr. positioned the company to grow well beyond The Valley News. Over the next few years, Bill and his wife and business partner Anne-Marie's perseverance saw the firm acquire thirteen other weekly publications. His expansion efforts earned them both a seat on the New York Press Association Board of Directors and later as President of the New York Press Service, placing advertising into publications across the state. Heading into 1979 the company was growing in size and scope. But as fate would have it, Bill and the family would face its stiffest challenge as the operation suffered through a deadly flash flood. The printing plant and offices were under six feet of water and the small weekly publishing operation was forced to rebuild or cease operating. Bill found a way to make lemonade out of lemons. The newspaper's printing was outsourced to neighboring printers while staff worked from his home. In the proceeding months with the assistance of the Essex County IDA, Bill had a new plant constructed at 14 Hand Ave. in Elizabethtown to accommodate an expanded press line and growing staff. Over the years, the company's efforts have earned many state and national accolades. In the late '80s, Bill and his family faced another difficult decision. After great consideration, they realized it was time to secure a new owner for the publishing firm. There were 40 years of late nights and never-ending deadlines. It was time to pass the baton. On Aug 8, 1988, the company was sold to the Alexander Family where Bill's vision for the company continues even today. William A. Denton always saw himself in a service role in the military, in his vocation, and in his life. Giving and serving others was Bill's mission in life as a son, bobsledder, soldier, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, and friend. He was never too busy to listen, offer advice, and give a hand when needed. We were privileged to have known him and honored to have been chosen to carry on the family tradition he set the foundation for which we operate today. -Columnist Dan Alexander is a resident of Elizabethtown, NY. He serves as Publisher Emeritus and President of Denton Publications, Inc. Thoughts Behind the Pressline Column reflects his observations of current events, not from a journalist's perspective but as an independent-minded, local businessman.

Signup for our newsletter

Column: In tribute to a fine man, William A. Denton

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS