William Robert Penney

William Robert Penney died peacefully at home and entered his eternal rest in the early hours of Thursday, October 27, 2022.  He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.  A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, October 31st, at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall (old sanctuary) of First United Methodist Church.  Visitation will be from 9:30 until the service time.  Services are under the care of the Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder.  

Bill (Billy to family and old friends) was born to Earl G. and Gertrude Weick Penney on December 12, 1936, the second of eight children.  He was a native and lifelong resident of DeRidder, growing up on a farm and playing high school varsity football and running track.  In retirement he had the opportunity to reminisce about those years with his fellow Ol’ Dragons and to solve today’s world problems with the McDonald’s coffee crew every morning.  Bill was reared in the Lutheran tradition in the original church his maternal grandfather helped build.  He later joined his wife in the United Methodist tradition in which they reared their two children.

Following his active duty in the Louisiana National Guard at Fort Chaffee AR, and Fort Knox, KY, he resumed his college education and was a 1964 graduate of McNeese State University.  For the next 39 years, he owned and operated a commercial, residential and automotive glass business in Leesville.  In his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting, gardening, reading, working with wood and machinery, and traveling.  He found the most pleasure in simply being outdoors or in the woods. 

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents; brother Victor; and sisters Evelyn Malone, Carolyn Lofton, and Juanita Thornton. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Dianne Kraft Penney, daughter Pamela (Mike), son Michael, grandson Zachary Sanut (Aislinn), sister Maxine Cely, and brothers Charles (Brenda) and Paul (Dianne), and 15 nieces and nephews.

For those friends who wish to honor Bill’s memory, the family requests contributions to the First United Methodist Church or charity of choice in lieu of flowers.

The family appreciates the Heart of Hospice of Lake Charles staff for their caring support in recent months and is very grateful to Connie Box of Companion Care for her professional care, friendship, and especially for her devotion to Bill during the past two and half years.