Willie Dealon Fennell Jr.

Willie Dealon (Dee) Fennell, Jr., passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, surrounded by his family whom he loved dearly. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean, his son Kit (Susan), and daughter Laurie Baxley (Mark); grandchildren Jonathan & Zachary Fennell and Madison, Taylor, Hudson, Campbell, Mia Baxley, and Autumn Early (Jordan); and 3 great grandchildren, Bella, Koah, and Deelan Early. He is predeceased by his parents, W.D. Sr. and Verna Fennell, and his brother, Hobert Randal Fennell.

Dee loved and was a faithful member of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, sang in the choir, and was a member of the JOY Life Group.

He grew up in Milledgeville, GA and graduated from Georgia Military College, where he became Battle Group Commander. From there he attended Ga Tech. Before graduating he was hired by American Standard as a mechanical engineer. He later formed his own company as a manufacturer’s representative selling industrially engineered boilers and burners.

He and Jean lived early on in Albany, GA, where their two children were born. They later moved to Sandy Springs where the children grew up and went to school. In 1994 they moved to Kennesaw to be near the children and grandchildren. There he finished his working career and then got to spend more time on woodworking, which he loved, and his koi ponds.

He loved making banana pudding from scratch for Life Group and neighborhood socials, and his peanut brittle at Christmas time was a delight for many.

Dee loved Jesus, his family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

Funeral services, presided over by Reverend Matt Petty, will be held at West Cobb Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:30 am, with visitation preceding at 9:30 am, 2480 Macland Rd, Marietta, GA 30064.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dee's memory to the Burnt Hickory Baptist Church Building Fund https://www.burnthickory.com/give/ , or to the Calvary Children's Home https://calvarykids.org/donate/