Little, William "Denton"
of Queen Creek, AZ

- passed away on May 21, 2010; just 10 days shy of his 88th birthday, with his beloved family by his side. A well known and respected farmer and rancher, he was born in Glendale, AZ on May 31, 1922 to William Ransom and Maggie Pearl (Crouch) Little. As an infant, the Little family migrated to southeast Chandler where he, his wife and children grew up on their property located on Riggs and McQueen Roads until moving to Queen Creek 10 years ago.

Denton was well known throughout his high school years at Chandler High School for his athletic ability and setting many records in football, basketball and track. Upon graduating in 1941, he received an athletic scholarship to
Northern Arizona University but had to return home after his first year to run the family business because of his father's ill health. Later on, he joined the Chandler Sheriff's Posse which, at that time, served as a Search and Rescue team going out as a team on horseback in an attempt to locate missing individuals, tracking fugitives or whatever task deemed necessary. When the Posse began putting on PRCA and Junior Rodeos, he became the chute boss and groundskeeper. Various cities throughout the state had their Sheriff's Posse organization as well and he traveled to them on the weekends and participated in their roping events. He trained his own horses, taught his children and grandchildren (as well as all of their friends) to rope and ride rough stock. He participated and transported them throughout the state and U.S. to participate in Arizona Junior Rodeos, High School Rodeos, Intercollegiate Rodeos and National Finals of these groups. One of his high school friends introduced him to his younger sister, Hazel "LORENE" Sanders and their love affair began. They married on July 26, 1943 and would have celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary this July.

Hard work and being with his family was his life. He loved all of his family very much and was known by many non-family members as Grandpa Little. Survivors include his wife, Lorene; four children - Ellen (Robert) Wood, Gary (Kathie) Little, Sharon Manning (Wayne), Dudley (Renee) Little, 8 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 4 step-great grandchildren, 2 great granddaughters, many in-laws, nieces, nephews and an abundance of numerous friends. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, W.R. and Pearl Little, sisters Mazie (Little) Combs, Betty (Little) Russey and grandson Mark Little.. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bueler Mortuary, 14 Hulet Dr., Chandler. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25 at the LDS Church, 18550 East Riggs Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 with visitation 1 hour prior. Interment will follow at Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Southwest, 450 North Dobson, #108, Mesa, AZ 85201 in the name of William Denton Little.