William Darden, known as “Bill” by his friends up north, and “Penny,” by his wife of 62 years, Marva Haynes Darden. William was born April 28, 1937, to the late Robert “Bob” Darden, Sr. and Session Bailey Darden. He was born in Saint John Community, Chambers County. At a young age, William joined Saint John Baptist Church and in 1957, William married Marva Haynes.

In 1958, William and his young bride moved to Columbus, Ohio. Wanting a better life for his family, William, his wife, and firstborn son Lee Marvin moved to New York City. While in New York, William and his wife had two more sons, Jeffrey Jared and Gregory (who passed away in infancy); and two daughters, Adrianne and Cecily Regina. While living in New York, his family attended various churches. William also advanced to a third-degree Mason at the Prince Hall Lodge of Yonkers, New York.

In 1959, William moved his family out of their New York City apartment, into a house in Teaneck, New Jersey. William and his wife then had another daughter, Danielle. After 23 years working for Daimler-Mercedes Benz as an Executive Chauffer, William and his wife moved into their dream house in Jonesboro, Georgia.

William drew his last breath on this earth Sept. 4 in the home that he loved. William is survived by his wife, Marva Haynes Darden; sons, Lee Darden and Jeffrey Darden; daughters, Adrianne Harris (Gary Harris), Cecily Rueger (David Rueger) and Danielle Talford (Tyrome Talford). William has 11 grandchildren. Tiffani Spaulding (Reginald Spaulding), Lee Darden, Jr., Michael Rueger, Nickolas Raphael, Dmitri Rueger, Deana Raphael, Jeffrey Darden, Jr, Quentin Talford, Olivia Rueger, Trentin Talford, and Prestin Talford. He has one great-granddaughter, Josephine Spaulding and a second great-granddaughter, Jacqueline Spaulding, due on Sept. 19. In addition, William has a plethora of nieces and nephews from his 14 brothers and sisters. Those still with us are James Darden, the Rev. Walter Darden, Sr., Mildred Cumberlander and Emma Hutson.

Homegoing celebration for Mr. Darden will be held on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the St. John Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Trammell, Pastor and the Rev. Walter L. Darden, eulogist. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. The remains will lie in state at the church on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour. The family will receive friends on. Sept. 6 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the M. W. Lee Mortuary. 

To express online condolences, please visit our website at www.mwleemortuary.com.

Final Arrangements entrusted to M. W. Lee Mortuary of West Point.