Cecil Alvin Debenham

November 12, 1930 – January 9, 2023Cecil Debenham, 92, of Canton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2023. He wasborn on November 12, 1930, in Junction City, Kansas.Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and two sisters. He is survived by hissister, Ruby French of Abilene, Kansas; his devoted wife of 67 years, Bernadetta Debenham; hischildren, Wesley “Wes” Debenham (Purvis, MS) and Sandra “Sandy” Hanger (Canton, GA); andhis grandchildren, Zachary “Zach” Hanger (Denver, CO) and Abigayle “Abi” Hanger(Jacksonville, FL).After high school, Cecil proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. He wasa corporal in the K-9 unit, stationed in Germany, where he trained dogs—a duty he carried outwith patience and skill.In 1955, Cecil married the love of his life, Bernadetta Seuferling. Together, they raised theirfamily with strong values of love, hard work, and respect.Cecil built his life around family, farming, and an unwavering work ethic. He worked more than30 years for Panhandle Eastern, an oil and gas company, where he never missed a day of workand was always willing to take overtime—no matter when the call came. After work, he wouldreturn home, grab a quick bowl of cereal, and head back out to tend the farm. Supporting hisfamily was always his top priority.He loved animals and grew up surrounded by cattle, chickens, pigs, and horses in Kansas. Hecarried that western spirit throughout his life—most comfortable in jeans, cowboy boots, and hishat. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and metal detecting, and could always be found watchingwesterns like Gunsmoke or a John Wayne film.Cecil was a man of patience and calm strength. Though strict, he never raised his voice; instead,he preferred quiet talks that left lasting lessons. He taught his children how to drive, farm, carefor animals, and face life with responsibility. Known for his frugality and resourcefulness, hefixed everything himself and rarely bought anything new. Family and friends alike relied on hisknowledge and skills—he was, as his son Wes said, “like an encyclopedia.”He loved family road trips through Colorado, camping under the stars, and later, spendingsummers with his grandchildren, giving them adventures in Kansas they could never have in thecity—riding horses, swimming in stock tanks, and going to the fair.Though serious by nature, Cecil had a quiet wit that caught people by surprise. His family oftenjoked they were compiling The Wit and Wisdom of Cecil Debenham. His humor, kindness, andgentle nature endeared him to everyone, including caregivers and nurses, who described him asthoughtful and selfless.Above all, Cecil was a devoted husband, a caring father, a proud grandfather, and a man wholived with integrity. He treated everyone with respect, never smoked or drank, and always put theneeds of others above his own. His legacy is one of hard work, patience, humility, and love.He will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Burial

Tuesday, January 24th, 2023

01:30 pm

1080 Scott Hudgens Dr,

Canton GA 30114