William "Denny" Walsh

William (Denny) Walsh was born on October 26, 1944, in Philip, South Dakota, to Bill Walsh and Kathleen (Kit) Walsh (née Wilson). As a child, he lived in Philip and Murdo, South Dakota, before the family settled in Wall. There, he grew up with his parents, his brother Dan, and his sister Colleen. He spent time helping his father in the family business, Walsh’s Funeral Home and Ambulance Service, and was shaped by the close-knit community of Wall.

In 1962, Denny graduated from Wall High School and enrolled at the University of South Dakota. He was a varsity wrestler for four years and a proud member of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC).

Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was selected to fly the OV-1 Mohawk. Over the next several years, he was stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama; Homestead Air Force Base, Florida; and served a one-year tour in Vietnam. In 1972, he left active duty but continued his service in the Georgia Army Air National Guard, where he continued flying the OV-1 Mohawk, serving at the company, battalion, and state headquarters levels. He ultimately retired in the 1990s at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He remained deeply connected to his fellow service members throughout his life, regularly attending with his wife Susan the annual OV-1 Mohawk Association reunions.

In 1972, his love of aviation brought him to Delta Air Lines, where he would fly for more than 30 years. He began as a flight engineer on L-1011 and went on to serve as co-pilot on the DC-9, Boeing 727, and Boeing 767, spending the last years of his career as a captain on the Boeing 767 ER. He retired from Delta in 2004.

From 1970 to 1979, Denny was married to Gwen Walsh (née White), with whom he had two children, Todd and Tara. He was a devoted and proud father, and later, a joyful grandfather to his five grandchildren.

In 1998, he married Susan Walsh (née Steinbach Scruggs), his wife and partner of 26 years. Together, they were inseparable, traveling the world while working for Delta and continuing their adventures into retirement. They enjoyed their homes in Miami and Georgia, and cherished their time spent with family and friends in the U.S, and their annual travels around the globe.

Denny is survived by his wife, Susan Walsh; his son, Todd Walsh (Sara); his daughter, Tara Walsh (Andrew Arnold); and his grandchildren Louie, Henry, Sylas, Patrick, and Nora. He is also survived by his sister, Colleen Walsh; sisters-in-law Sarah Stubbs and Jeanie Walsh; brother-in-law Ken Steinbach (Josie); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He leaves behind countless friends—from his hometown of Wall to the U.S. Army, Delta, and beyond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Kathleen; his stepfather, Robert MacEntee; his brother, Dan Walsh; and his brother-in-law, Richard Stubbs.

As was his wish, Denny will be laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA, on Monday, May 5, 2025. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the OV-1 Mohawk Association Scholarship Fund.