Bill Denny (Mississippi politician)

William Clancy Denny Jr. (August 22, 1930 – January 25, 2025) was an American politician who served as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1988 to 2020. He was the floor leader of the Republicans in the house from 2012 to 2020.^[1]

Bill Denny
Majority Leader of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office January 3, 2012 – January 7, 2020
Preceded by	???
Succeeded by	TBD
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 64th district
In office January 1988 – January 7, 2020
Preceded by	Dick Hall
Succeeded by	Shanda Yates
Personal details
Born	(1930-08-22)August 22, 1930 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	January 25, 2025(2025-01-25) (aged 94) Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Sue Johnsey
Education	University of Maryland, College Park (BS)

Life and career

Denny was an alumnus of the University of Maryland and worked as a business executive and banker. He was Senior Vice President of Southeastern Operations of a multi-national banking corporation.^[2]

Elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1988, he served District 64, encompassing Hinds County and Madison County. He served on the Apportionment and Elections as chairman, and as member of the appropriations, congressional redistricting, constitution, Judiciary A, Judiciary En Banc, legislative reapportionment and municipalities committees.^[2]

In November 2019, Denny was defeated by Shanda Yates. The race was extremely close, with Yates winning by a margin of less than 150 votes (50.8% to 49.2%), and results took nearly two weeks to certify.^[3][4][5] His term ended on January 7, 2020.

Denny was married to Sue Rose Johnsey, and they had four children. He was Catholic.^[2] Denny died in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 25, 2025, at the age of 94.^[6]