William Henry Britton, Sr.

William Henry Britton, Sr. was born to the late William Britton and Ninnie (Warner) Britton on June 13, 1932 in Union City, Bedford County, Tennessee. He departed peacefully on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at home in prayer surrounded by his family.

Raised with his two late brothers, Bobby and Jerry Britton, William spent his early childhood in Shelbyville, Tennessee before moving to Dayton, Ohio where he grew up. Baptized in his youth with the Church of Christ, William later became a devout Catholic. He gave reverence to Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.

During the height of the Korean War, William was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served from March 12, 1953 to March 18, 1955. He deployed four months prior to the war ending and returned home safely to Dayton, Ohio where he was reunited with his parents and siblings. After the military, William spent his career as an over-the-road truck driver before retiring with over 30 years of being a road-warrior.

Shortly after the war, while still living in Dayton, William met the love of his life, the late Mrs. Gladys Zell (Malone) Britton. They were wed in Holy Matrimony in 1956. William and Gladys shared their life as husband and wife until she went to heaven on August 24, 2018.

In addition to his wife, Mrs. Gladys Zell (Malone) Britton; father, William Britton (January 5, 2005) and mother, Ninnie (Warner) Britton (May 26, 2002); William was preceded in death by his son, William “Junie” Henry Britton, Jr. (December 18, 2020); grandchild, Ril Beatty (December 24, 2016); and his brothers, Bobby Britton (1981) and Jerry Britton (February 22, 2013).

Left to treasure William’s memory are three of his children, Debbie Britton, Patricia (Britton) Thomas (Richard Thomas, Jr.), and Henrietta “Dula” (Britton) Middlebrooks; six grandchildren, Tawanda, Charles, Andricka (Thomas) Atkins (Harold Atkins, Jr.), William, Richard, III, and Rashad; and six great-grandchildren, Matilyn, Gwendolyn, Andrew, Akaya, Jayden, and Kaven. His family was a true blessing to him.

William was affectionately named “PaPa” or "PawPaw" by his grandchildren, all who loved him dearly and share a myriad of heartfelt memories of his quick-wit, humor, and life’s advice filled with wisdom.

Most of all, William was a loving and dedicated father and grandfather. William cherished his time spent with family, evident by the numerous fond memories and stories recounted by his loved ones. William taught his children and grandchildren the value of family, love, integrity, hard work, determination, and how to laugh and relish in joy. He would do anything for his family.

A husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, he leaves a legacy of family, unconditional love, strength, perseverance, wisdom, uncensored commitment to the truth, and an affection and loving humorous spirit. He will be forever loved, cherished and missed.

A wake will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. His funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, Mr. William Henry Britton, Sr. will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery. For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

Learn about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.