William Herbert Pennington, Sr, 87, of Kernersville, NC passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, March 16th at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral home, 213 West Mountain St, Kernersville, NC.
Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 17th at SedgeGardenUnitedMethodistChurch with Rev Ellis Rouse and Rev Phil Bauguess officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt.GurCemetery.
Mr. Pennington was born July 19, 1919 in Onida, SD to Rohe Vester and Stella Mae Eller Pennington. Mr. Pennington graduated in 1940 with a BS in chemistry from Franklin and MarshallCollege. He married Betty Jane Throckmorton of Muskogee, Ok. He was one of ten children that grew up on farms in Ashe County, NC and Southern Lancaster County, PA. Mr. Pennington left the plow behind and spent his career as a nuclear scientist developing peaceful uses of the atom. During the war he worked on the Manhattan Project that brought an end to the war. In 1957 he was assigned to Tokyo, Japan as the first Atomic Energy Commission’s attaché for the Far East. He worked on reactors for ships, space vehicles and other uses including medicine. Mr. Pennington retired in 1979.
During Mr. Pennington’s retirement years, he and his wife Betty stayed active cycling, dancing, golfing, traveling, and wintering in Vermont where they often skied over 100 days a year. They skied in amateur Nastar races, taught many to ski, and introduced others to cross country skiing before retiring from the 80+ Ski Club.
Mr. Pennington was active in Scouting for 50 years. He always enjoyed working with children, whether camping, skiing, building things, or science projects. His mother instilled faith and love of God that guided him throughout his life. He was very involved with every church he attended. Locally, he was a member of SedgeGardenUnitedMethodistChurch.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Susan Lee Pennington.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Jane Throckmorton Pennington; sons Stephen Phillip Pennington of San Anselmo, CA and William Herbert Pennington, Jr.and his wife Carol Curia Pennington of Kernersville; daughter-in-law Teresa Mauer Pennington of Douglasville, PA; grandchildren Katharine Suzanne Pennington of Kernersville, Matthew Claiborne Pennington and his wife Barbara Stewart Pennington of Rutland, VT, and Daria Laurie Pennington of San Francisco, CA. Three brothers and three sisters, Irene Reifsnyder, Jessie Smith, Robert Pennington, David Pennington, Dr James Pennington and Evelyn Burkle. Two step-grandchildren, Dawn Leifeste and her husband Brian Leifeste; Daniel Curia and his wife Lori Curia; and four step-great grandchildren, Megan Cain, Jessica Cain, Jenna Curia, and Claire Curia.
We want to express our thanks and gratitude to Hospice of Winston Salem; members of Sedge Garden United Methodist Church; parishioners of Holy Cross Catholic Church; the Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes; the staff at AON; and all who have been so supportive.
Online condolences many be sent to the Pennington family at:
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633 or donate at .
William Herbert Pennington
July 19, 1919 – March 14, 2007