William Graham Penny

03/12/1940 - 05/17/2025

William "Bill" Graham Penny passed away Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the age of 85 in Denver, North Carolina after dealing with health problems for his last years. He was born in Brooklyn, New York to William and Lillian Penny. As a youngster the family lived for a few years in Oak Ridge, Tennessee as his father was an electrical engineer working on the Manhattan Project. He attended Boys High School in Brooklyn before studying at Duke University where he played the trumpet in Duke's marching band. He took a job in Washington, DC and with Joyce raised their four children in Springfield, Virginia. He was father to Cheryl (John), Bill (Laura),
Stacey (Steve), and Christie (Eric). He was the grandfather of six – Michael (Jamie), Matthew (Kathryn), Meredith (Holden), Mark, Cameron, Tristan and great-grandfather of two - Logan and Austin.

He worked for NAVAIR as a contract negotiator for the Navy Department where he spent 32 ½ years before retiring in 1998, earning the Superior Civilian Service Award. He was an avid Duke fan, a softball player, enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo and was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He was SYC coach and commissioner of the youth football league in Springfield, Virginia and commissioner of the Penny Bowl. He was very proud of his Newfoundland heritage and his trip to English Harbour where his family was from. In his retirement he loved his time with the Fairfax County Auxiliary Police, working as a substitute and bus driver with local schools, gardening and playing with his dogs. He leaves behind his wife Kathleen and her three children – Jay (Lindsey), Jody (Kathy), and Jill.

A service will be held at St. Peter's by the Lake Episcopal Church in Denver, NC June 28 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Duke University or Labrador Retriever Rescue groups.