Delaney Graham

Delaney Graham, 86 of American Canyon, died Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Nazareth Rose Garden of Napa Memory Care Home after an extended illness. Delaney was born February 11, 1937 in Cottonwood, Alabama. His family moved to Graceville Florida when he was young. He joined the Navy after graduating from high school and became an expert mechanic. He spent the next 21 years of his life traveling around the world with the Navy. His military service included a deployment to the Viet Nam War, and state side tours to Honolulu, Hawaii, Long Beach, California, Portland, Orgon, Chelsea, Massachusetts, Norfolk, Virginia, and Vallejo, California. He received 5 Good Conduct Awards, The Navy Accommodation Metal, The Viet Nam Campaign Ribbon, a Combat Action Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal for his military service. On November 24, 1957 while stationed in Long Beach, he met Dorothy Mae Hill, the love of his life, at a social club frequented by military personnel. Dorothy said Delaney told her to hold his watch and he would be back to pick it up. She returned the next day and there he was waiting for her. The two became inseparable thereafter, and after a one-year courtship, they were married November 27, 1958 in Los Angeles, California. Dorothy joined Delaney on his military adventures and after many military deployments and multiple relocations, the couple purchased a home in American Canyon in 1969. The military adventure ended when Delaney retired from the Navy in June of 1978 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.. He became a Supervising Mechanic for the US Postal Service for the next 20 years. Delaney and Dorothy enjoyed cross country trips by automobile. They were active in their local community. He was a Mason and both he and Dorothy were members of the American Canyon chapter of the Lions Club. Delaney enjoyed spending time with family and friends, working on cars, and tinkering with things around the house. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Graham, son, Raymond Graham, his parents, Frank and Maebell Graham, his sister Gracie West, and four brothers: Frank Graham, Jr., Sam Graham, Willie Graham, and Lee Morris Graham, and his grandson Kenyon Graham. He is survived by his four adult children; son, Virgil Graham of El Dorado Hills; daughters, Rhonda Graham of American Canyon, Sheri Hinkle of Vallejo, and Kimberly Graham of Merced, six grandchildren, Verchelle Graham of El Dorado Hills, Delaney De'Shawn Graham of American Canyon, Krystal Sellars of Vallejo, Sherrell Wilkerson of Vallejo, Shemika Wilson of Vallejo, and Kadeem Myles of Mercedl two brothers, Billy Ray Graham and Jonathan Graham, both of Graceville, Florida, and many great-grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, November 17, 2023 at the funeral home. A viewing of the deceased will occur prior to the memorial service from ( AM to 11 AM. Arrangements entrusted to Wiggins-Knipp Funeral Home, 524 Capitol Street, Vallejo, CA 94590.

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Delaney Graham

February 11, 1937 - November 3, 2023