William "Bill" Bernard Pennekamp

William "Bill" Bernard Pennekamp, 97, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Kathryn L. Stumph Pennekamp, entered into eternal rest on Monday, May 15, 2023. His memorial service will be held Friday, May 19, 2023 in Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1157 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard at 1:00 pm. A private burial will take place in Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel.

Bill was born November 2, 1925, and raised in Hamilton, Ohio, son of the late Christina and William J. Pennekamp. He was educated in the public schools and later graduated from Ohio State. He proudly served in the WWII European Theater as a member of the Eighty Ninth infantry division and was in the Ohio Reserves during the Korean conflict. He retired from General Electric in 1980. During his early years with General Electric, Bill was an instructor for their Jet Engine program at several US Air Force bases. He also received a Certificate of Merit for his 20 years of service and leadership for his work and support of the United States Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Program in Groton, Connecticut and Charleston, South Carolina. He was an avid Ham Radio Operator and served on a state and local level, working closely with the Charleston County Emergency Management team as coordinator of the radio team to help keep the lines of communication open using existing wireless radios, especially during the hurricane season. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #17 in Hamilton, Ohio for 75 years as well as various others while he resided in South Carolina.

Bill loved his big band music, and you could find him listening to his music most times while at home. He played a saxophone in his early years and met his wife, Kate, while playing in his high school band in Hamilton, Ohio.

Bill was a kind and gentle man and will be missed by his family and everyone that knew him.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his sons, Gregory R. Pennekamp (Wanda) and Timothy A. Pennekamp (Sandra); brother, David Pennekamp (Faye); grandchildren, Amanda Bluestein (Brian), Timothy Pennekamp Jr. (Amanda), and Alex Pennekamp (Lindley); and great grandchildren, Tanner, Elena, Kane, Avery, and Evans. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine Pennekamp.

Memorial donations can be made in Bill's memory to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charleston, South Carolina (http://wpccharleston.org); or to the American Cancer Society of Charleston, South Carolina.