William J. Jennings, Jr.

William “Bill” J. Jennings, Jr. a longtime resident of Reading, passed away at his home on January 26, 2025, at the age of 76. Bill was born in Natick, Massachusetts on June 25, 1948, the son of the late William J. and Marguerite (Sprowl) Jennings.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Gertrude E. (Stevens) Jennings. The devoted father of Peter J. Jennings and his wife Rebecca of Hoboken, NJ and Christopher W. Jennings and his wife Angela of North Andover. Cherished brother of Rachel Bartley and her husband Lynn of Quincy. Brother-in-law of Debbie Ruiz and her husband Peter of Uxbridge, the late Gladys Jean Wilcox, and the late Orland Stevens, Jr. Loving Grampy of Ava, Jack, Abigail and Finn. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading, on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 3-6pm. Funeral service and burial are private.

Bill’s story began in Natick, Massachusetts where his family has deep roots. There he met Trudy Stevens, they became lifelong sweethearts starting as friends in the 2nd grade. After moving to Reading and raising their boys they enjoyed traveling together and with their best friends Doug and Nancy MacAllister. They were married for 47 years until Trudy’s passing in 2017.

Bill graduated from the Wentworth Institute of Technology with degrees in Architectural Engineering and Construction Management. He dedicated over 50 years to the commercial construction industry, ultimately founding his own company, WJJ Planning and Construction Management, which he successfully operated for 25 years before retiring. Bill served as the President of the Reading Ice Arena Authority for 15 years.

Bill loved spending time with his friends, the “4 ½ - couples”, from Reading, playing golf, taking walks with his dog Pepper, watching Patriots games with his best friend Doug MacAllister, and spending time with his four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s memory to the Burbank YMCA at 36 Arthur B. Lord Dr., Reading, MA 01867 or online at https://give.ymcaboston.org/give/651888/#!/donation/checkout

For directions and online guestbook visit www.douglassfuneralhome.com