After a lifetime of fast cars and motorcycles as well as some fast talking, Dennis ‘Denny’ Waddell reached the end of the road Wednesday, March 4.

Denny died at his home in Milan, surrounded by family, two days before his birthday. He spent a short time in hospice care after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis last fall. He was 82.

The family would like to thank the caring strangers who came into his home from Compassionate Care, UnityPoint Trinity and Hospice during his final days and left like family.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, at McGinnis Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the funeral home. Friends are encouraged to join a funeral procession with their Corvettes or motorcycles. He will be interred at Riverside Cemetery in Moline. Following the graveside service, all are invited to join the family at the Svithiod Club, 1522 6th Ave. in Moline for a time of food and fellowship.

The son of Russell Dale and Bonita Beatrice (Briggs) Waddell, Dennis Dale Waddell was born March 6, 1943, in St. Louis County, Missouri, when his father was stationed in the Army.

Tragically, his father Russ died from a gun accident in 1952 when Denny was just 9, leaving him as “the man of the house” and always protective of his mother and younger sister Lynne.

He graduated in 1961 from Monmouth (Illinois) High School and relocated to the Quad Cities, which would become his longtime home, to attend Brown Business College. He lived a short time with his uncle and aunt, Ernie and Eunice Waddell, in Davenport.

Denny is survived by his wife and best friend Fay Anderson, who he shared the past 20+ years with as well as adventures in his Corvette du jour.

He previously was married to Jerri (Bender) in April 1964 in Tipton, Iowa, with whom he had two children, Jennifer (‘First’ born like him) and Jon Waddell.

In addition to Fay Anderson, he is survived by his daughter Jennifer (John) DeWitt of Moline; son Jon (Susan) Waddell of Davenport; sister Lynne (Jim) Pedigo; as well as his and Fay’s blended family, Bonnet (Dale) Jones, Eldridge, Robin (Jerry) Smith, Muscatine, Iowa, and Jack (Diana) Grabeel, Taylor Ridge, Illinois. He also is survived by 21 grandchildren including Emily (John) Clever, Charles (Melissa) DeWitt, Alex DeWitt, Mackenzie O’Hare, Chloe (Chase) Vickerman, Mclaine Waddell and Matisse Waddell. He also had 15 great-grandchildren.

Denny made a lifetime career as a salesman, selling cars for Bud Mills Chevrolet and Warren Chevrolet, later owning his own car lots and motorcycle stores in East Moline. He had a reputation for wheeling and dealing on everything.

An entrepreneur before the word was commonplace, Denny introduced the Quad Cities to the video rental business with the opening of The Video Station(s). He had a knack for perfect timing in getting in and out of ventures and moved on before the regional and national chains entered the market.

Amid the 1980s farm crisis, he and business partner Tony Swain became real estate investors, purchasing and renovating dozens of Illinois QC houses under Waddell & Swain Co. (Later, Denny’s brother-in-law Jim Pedigo would lend his construction skills to the business). Denny and Tony would remain friends and partners for nearly 50 years until Tony’s death in November 2023.

Denny was an enthusiast of many hobbies from owning and selling countless Corvettes and Harleys to helping found local QC clubs to unite drivers. He was a founding member of both the Midwest Corvette Club and the Harley Owners Group (HOG) in the Quad Cities and participated at their regional and national events. He also was active in the Milan Rifle Club and a regular visitor for years to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Additionally, Denny is survived by his paternal aunt Shirley Marellett, several cousins – including first cousin Jan Wilcox and her son Brad Wilcox, with whom he became close friends, and countless Corvette and HOG friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather Everette Bell of Monmouth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which he supported in many ways including participating in St. Jude Rides on his Harley. He was forever grateful that none of his children or grandchildren ever needed St. Jude.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing Denny's obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.