William Griffin Pendry (October 6th, 1947-April 18th, 2022)
After living his best life with Parkinson’s and dementia, William Griffin Pendry succumbed to his illnesses in Monument, Colorado on April 18, 2022 at the age of 74. He was surrounded by loved ones who cared for him until the end. They will continue to honor his legacy of putting family first and living your best life.
Known to friends and family as Bill or Skip, he was born in Athens, Ohio on October 6th, 1947, to William Harper Pendry and Harriet Hoffman Griffin. He met his girlfriend and love of his life, Linda Wolf, at William Allen High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1964. On a high school date to Dorney Park, Bill and Linda did an electrograph analysis of their handwriting which revealed Bill’s personality stating, “this individual is a sacrificing and good-natured person who would do without just to help others. A realist who is very active in civic affairs and makes every day succeed. Loves meeting people and is interested in all matters. Very sensible and understanding. Is easily hurt and likes to keep troublesome matters to themselves. Otherwise, a happy and contented person.”
After realizing he wasn’t quite ready for college, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1966 and went to Vietnam and served as a photo interpreter at Tan Son Nhut, Air Base. He was released from active duty at the rank of Sergeant in 1970. He then graduated from Ohio University in 1972 with a BSJ in Journalism and advertising management where he also served as President of the Ohio University’s veterans club. Bill worked in marketing communications and research for over 40 years with his culminating job as VP of Morpace Inc. in the greater Detroit area. He enjoyed the commute and put a lot of miles on his cars; he loved bragging about his diesel Jetta.
Bill was a devout Detroit Tigers and casual Detroit Lions fan but was even more known for his soccer knowledge and his love of the game and the players he coached. If not coaching a team, he was watching his kids and grandkids play the game and spent countless hours in the car driving to games. He helped build the Pacesetter Soccer organization and started the girl’s program in the 1980s. He also coached the Sylvania Southview High School girls’ team for years. In his last weeks, he still held some of his soccer balls signed by some of his favorite players.
Bill and Linda lived in Sylvania/Toledo for 49 years. They moved to Colorado in 2021 to live next door to their daughter’s family and be surrounded by trees and mountains, all things Bill loved.
Bill’s most notable achievement was his 54-year marriage to his high school sweetheart Linda. As the story goes, Linda invited him to a sorority dance in 1964 and he said yes; that was the best decision he ever made. Their marriage stood the test of time. It was filled with love and passion and the dedication of two people who wouldn’t quit. This philosophy is embodied in the closing line of one his favorite poems: On Marriage by Kahlil Gibran, “And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.”
Bill is survived by his wife Linda, son Jeff (Noel) Pendry, daughter Kate (Doug) Guttormsen, and son Michael Pendry. He was the proud grandparent of seven: Madeline, Griffin, Ethan, William, Gabriella, Finn, and Blake. An avid reader, he loved his morning coffee with a good book or getting caught up on the current news with Linda somewhere nearby. He traveled all over the world visiting his kids and grandkids supporting them in all their endeavors. Even in his last few years of life, when the brain and body were failing him, he offered what he could supporting family.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice.
Plans for internment are at Arlington National Cemetery with more details in the future.
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