Eugene Earl Haney was born at Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Greenwood, Mississippi on April 10, 1951. He was five years old when he moved to Greenville, Mississippi with his parents, Jack Haney and Ruby Lee Haney (Anderson), and his siblings, Arthur Roy, Charles, and Vangie.

As a young child, Eugene was a Boy Scout, and his parents taught him how to swim at Katie Lewis Swimming Pool. He was baptized by Pastor Reverend R.L. Armstrong in Lake Ferguson and attended Mt. Olive M.B. Church. In high school, Eugene along with Johnny Johnson (brother-in-law) and his neighborhood friends started a community club, called The Esquire Club to hang out and socialize. In high school, Eugene also bravely stood up against racism during desegregation and all of his close friends started calling him Bill based on the song, “Don’t mess with Bill" by The Marvelettes. He proudly graduated in 1969 with honors from Breisch High School in Leland, Mississippi.

He came to Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There he met a woman named Carolyn Tyson. They caught each other's eye at orientation and became inseparable. In 1970, he was initiated into the Epsilon Theta Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi, Inc. Fraternity. As part of the Divine 9 line, he was affectionately known as “Big E” and while out partying with Carolyn and his fraternity brothers he asked her to brand him with the Omega symbol.

On November 16, 1974, Eugene and Carolyn were married and started their family shortly after. They had three daughters, Shawnette Lee, Evon Elizabeth, and Kisha Yalanda. Eugene continued his schooling at Madison Area Technical College and received his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration-Accounting in 1977. He then attended Milton College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1978. From there, he started his career as an Audit Specialist and an Account Examiner for the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. Then, he went on to become a Senior Auditor for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. From there, he worked as a Certified Special Educational Assistant for the Madison Metropolitan School District until his retirement.

Family was more than just blood to Eugene, and he always put family first. He loved spending time with us, laughing at our jokes, exercising with us, and teaching us the importance of education and money management. He enjoyed watching sports and karate movies. He went fishing often and played basketball with his good friends at Tenney Park, his favorite park. Even the distance didn’t stop him from the connections he had.

We are thankful that Eugene was surrounded by the love of his family during his final days with us and that as of March 28, 2026, he is no longer in pain.

To view the obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N Sherman Ave
608-249-8257

Eugene Haney

April 10, 1951 - March 28, 2026

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