David Wiley Paxton of Newark, Delaware, passed away on September 9, 2024, at the age of 91. He was born on August 1, 1933, in Covington, VA, to the late William Harry Paxton and Beatrice Summer (Mills) Paxton. He was also preceded in death by his former wife, Clarinda Paxton.

David’s father owned a service station, where David started his first job at the age of 10. At 20 years of age, he enlisted in the Army. He valued his time in the service, having attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was also honored with the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. A Virginia Tech alumni: he graduated in the top 1% of his class with honors and remained a huge Hokie fan all his life.

David was a longtime member of Ogletown Baptist Church, serving faithfully in many capacities. He was also a charter member of Friendship Baptist Church, dedicating many hours of outreach work.

David was an avid golf player as well as a hunter, having been a former member of the Beechbrook Hunt Club in Virginia. He will also be remembered as a man who was prepared to fix anything and everything.

David is survived by his cherished wife of fourteen years, Marcia (Renn) Paxton; his children, Linda Paxton, Janis McGovern and Lorrie Williams (Francis); his step-children: Rob Rotenberry (Melissa), and Laurie Smith (Chris). A very important part of his life was dedicated to his grandchildren, Lisa Sawyer, Katherine Crawford (Chris), Susan Daggs (Lance), Kelly McGovern (Mark), Michael McGovern, Devon Manley (Tom), and Matthew Williams (Krysten); and his step grandchildren Marcie Haber (Ben), Julianne Crossland (Tyler), Donald Smith (Anna), Charles Lon Smith, Lauribeth Smith, Sarah Fleetwood (Alex), Melissa Rotenberry (Brandon Harris); his great-grandchildren, Brooke, Gabrielle, Aden, Tyler, Nathan, Emily, Baker, Henry, Savannah, Riley, Rian, Emma, Elizabeth and Kaleb; and step-great-grandchildren Mikayla, Maxwell, Maggie, Elsie, Olivia, and Samuel, and four great-great grandchildren, Trenton, Karmen, Julianna, and Claire.

A Celebration of Life will be held for David on September 29, 2024, at 5:00 PM at Ogletown Baptist Church, 316 Red Mill Road, Newark, DE 19713. Friends may arrive at 4:00 PM for visitation. A private burial service will be held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to “Christian Challenge” of Ogletown Baptist Church, which benefits UD students, many of whom are living away from home; or “Delaware Hospice”. Please send all donations in care of R.T. Foard and Jones, Inc., 122 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.