Denny Wayne Lester, 73, of Craney, WV, went home to be with the Lord on June 2, 2026. Denny was born November 16, 1952, son of the late Wallace and Vera Lamb Lester. Denny was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, Uncle and friend. He was a proud Army veteran and retiree from the coal mines. Denny was also an avid lover of both fast sports cars and “sharp” trucks. Denny was a member of Oceana First Church of God. In 1969, Denny enlisted in the U.S. Army, being stationed in Germany until he turned eighteen and was sent to serve in the Vietnam War. After returning home, Denny married the late love of his life, Judith “Judy/Jude” Bailey Lester on April 21, 1972. That same year, he began his career in the coal mines. Denny worked his way up, from first becoming a Section Foreman to eventually becoming a General Mine Manager. He worked at many different mines over the years, from EACC to Coal River Energy, which is where he last worked before he retired in 2011. But, he would always say that his favorite was I.O. Coal, where he mentored his son-in-law and served as his boss for 6 years. As a proud veteran, Denny was actively involved in the DAV, VFW, American Legion, and the Wyoming County Veterans Honor Guard. He was also one of the core men who helped in establishing the Veteran Memorial Wall in Oceana, WV. He was so proud to be involved in this project, and was constantly working on things both for the memorial wall and for his fellow veterans. In addition to his parents and wife, Denny is preceded in death by his siblings Darrell Lester and Deanna Lester Cook. Those left to cherish his memory including his baby girl, Shelley Ann Lester Webb and her husband Carl, who he saw like a son; his two grandchildren, Kailey and Coleton Webb; his siblings, Darice Lester Bradford, Leah Lester Cook, David Lester, and Darita Lester Green; his brother and sister in law, Ralph and Sharon Hannah, and their children and families; special cousin, Lori Davis; special friends, Jeff Hood and Danny Bragg; special neighbors Terry and Anita Hood and Gary and Angie Philpot; his Tudor’s breakfast crew; and a host of loving family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 3:30 pm on Monday, June 8th at the Oceana First Church of God, Oceana, WV with Rev. Jerry Cook, Pastor Herb Cook, and Bro. Gary Walker officiating. Friends may gather with the family from 2:00 pm until time of service on Monday at the church. The Wyoming County Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites at the Veterans Memorial Wall, Oceana, WV. In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated following the service and will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV. Pallbearers will be Carl Webb, Coleton Webb, Jeff Hood, Mason Hannah, Danny Bragg, Darrell Cline, and Jeff Martin. Honorary pallbearers are Terry Hood, Gary Philpot, Brian Steele, Joe Toler, and Clacey Lambert. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.