William Ethan Darby, age 35, of Toney, Alabama, was called home to heaven on July 15, 2026.

Ethan was born on October 3, 1990, in Florence, Alabama, to Bruce and Wendy Darby. A graduate of Auburn University, Ethan worked as a software engineer for Monte Sano Research Corporation. He married Jessica Gottesman on May 30, 2015, and together they raised two sons.

Ethan was known for his unwavering faith, his deep love for family and friends, and the tenacity he brought to every aspect of life. He enjoyed working on cars, serving his community, and his relentless pursuit of staying active at the gym, but nothing brought him greater joy than being a husband and father.

Ethan is survived by his wife, Jessica Darby; his sons, Jett Thomas Darby and Wren Wolfe Darby; his parents, Bruce and Wendy Darby; and many other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, JT and Mary Sue Darby and Bill and Sally Keezer.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Highlands, 330 Nance Rd, Madison, AL 35758. The Darby family cordially invites all who loved and knew Ethan to share a meal immediately following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Branches Christian Cooperative at branchescoop.org/donations or the William Ethan Darby Endowed Scholarship at the University of North Alabama Foundation, UNA Box 5113, Florence, AL 35632, in Ethan’s memory.

Philippians 1:21“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”