William Charles Pennington, July 14, 2023
William Charles (Bill) Pennington went to be with the Lord on July 14, 2023, surrounded by his loving family in Richardson, TX. He was 76 years old.
Bill was born, along with his twin sister, Suzanne Marie, on March 28, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois to Charles Sheldon Pennington and Marcella Mary (Crossen) Pennington. He grew up in Lombard, IL, attending Glenbard East High School where he graduated as valedictorian. He graduated from Yale University, plus later earned a Master of Business degree from the University of Chicago. During his time at Yale, he met the love of his life, Karen (Wijas) Pennington; they were married December 6, 1969.
Bill began a long career in the telecommunications industry upon graduation that ranged from supporting companies in our local communities to international clients. He was always a part of the innovation and implementation of current telecommunication technology, understood the intangible nuances of how to pull together and lead a team, plus knew how to relate and converse with customers on exactly what they required. Initially working in Chicago, he and Karen lived in Hinsdale, Illinois where they welcomed their first son, Bill Jr (1974). They seized an opportunity to move to Dallas, Texas in 1978, where they welcomed sons Jeff (1978) and Kyle (1983). Bill and his family settled in the Prairie Creek neighborhood in Richardson, Texas and are long-time members of Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.
An avid sports fan, Bill loved his Dallas and Chicago sports teams, plus closely followed Formula 1 racing. He loved watching his sons play competitive sports, and he could always be spotted in the dugout or courtside, coaching their teams during their formidable little league years. In recent years, he relished every opportunity he had to watch his grandchildren participate in their activities as well.
Always a bright mind, he also had a selfless heart, always giving his time to support others. Bill was dedicated to his family, loved to travel, and dabbled in scuba diving. His family will remember him for his Christian values, Trivial Pursuit expertise, his photographic memory, his interest in military history, World War II documentaries, and his love of action movies. He was deeply patriotic, loved what America stands for, and was so proud his eldest son and grandson currently serve in the United States Navy.
Surviving him are his wife of 53 years, Karen; his sons Bill Jr. (wife Kate), Jeff (wife Kiki), and Kyle (wife Wesley); his twin sister, Suzanne Marie Clayton; his brother, Robert Pennington (wife Carol); and his twelve wonderful grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider making memorial
donations to SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (www.spohnc.org), an organization Bill was active in over the last 15 years, or to the Catholic Charities of Dallas (www.ccdallas.org/donate).
May his soul rest in peace, and his memory forever live in our hearts.
A rosary vigil for William will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1201 Alma Dr, Plano, TX 75075. A memorial mass will occur Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM, 1201 Alma Dr, Plano, TX 75075. A reception will occur Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM, 1201 Alma Dr, Plano, TX 75075.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Pennington family.
See tributes at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dallas-tx/william-pennington-11372921
[The following picture is explained by Karen in the comment.]
(Postscript added by Karen Pennington)
Thank you for your prompt reply. Bill and I met in November of 1966 when we were fixed up on a blind date by his sister, Suzanne, when he visited Northern Illinois University where we were both enrolled. Bill and I continued to date and were married on December 6, 1969. I travelled several times to Yale over those years and felt like I was an honorary Yalie. Randy Schiffer and Paul McAuliffe (passed in 2022), and sometimes Lee Mundell (passed in June, 2023) were his roommates, and often “cohorts” in adventures. I have fond memories of the Branford Boys and I am glad that they contributed to making their world a better place. Times were turbulent then, and sadly, more unsettled now. We each have our own stories and interpretations of how our years in history have played out. I read the survey for the class and am sure that Bill would have had some prescient comments on some of the questions. He never judged too quickly nor took himself too seriously but had a quick wit and insight. I’ve attached a picture of Bill and Paul McAuliffe at a Yale football game circa 1968. [Editor: added at the bottom of the main story, above.] Bill is holding a cup and Paul is next to him with an arm fist. I believe it made the Yale newspaper. It certainly showed their youthful enthusiasm.