Of Ava Funeral services for William Eugene “Bill” Pennington, Ava, formerly of Hollister, were held Monday, March 13, at the Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home, Branson.
Rev. Floyd “Bud” Arnold officiated with burial following in the Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson. Mr. Pennington passed away Friday, March 10, at his home in Ava.
William was born on Sept. 9, 1936, in Pontiac, Ill. He was the son of Harold W. and Zola Mae (McWhorter) Pennington.
He graduated from the Paxton High School in Paxton, Ill. He married Wilma D. Clagg on Feb. 15, 1957, in Newton, Ill., and they were blessed with seven children. Bill worked as a typesetter for a publishing company and for the Norge Manufacturing Co., in Effingham, Ill. He moved to the Taney County area in 1964 to enjoy a quieter lifestyle. Bill worked at the College of the Ozarks in the printing department and then at Silver Dollar City where he worked as an electrician until he retired. He and Wilma moved to Ava about five months ago to be closer to a son.
Bill was a Ham radio enthusiast. He was the Taney County Emergency Coordinator for the Ham radio organizations. He was a member of the Tri-Lakes Ham Radio Club and the Kimberling City Ham Radio Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Zola Pennington.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Wilma, of the home; and his seven children and their spouses: Tammy and Claire Fisk, of Huntsville, Ark., Karen and Tommy Smith, of Rockaway Beach, Karol and Danny Hoover, Ridgedale, Teresa and Larry Bayless, Farmington, Harold and Terry Pennington, Wichita, Kan., Howard and Susie Pennington, Ava, Major Allen and Sabina Pennington, Fairview Heights, Ill.; one brother and his wife, Clint and Donna Pennington, of Joplin; two sisters and their husbands, Coralie and B.J. Bellinghausen, of Reeds Spring; Sandi and Tom Heilman, Warren, Ark.; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Community Hospices of America Foundation, Springfield.
