Bill Pennybacker

It is with sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the members of the Pennybacker family announce the passing of Bill on July 22, 2023. While born in October 1929 and raised around the oil fields of eastern Illinois, Bill Pennybacker says he got to Texas as fast as he could. Bill and his wife, Dee moved to Washington County in 1986. They established the Sonrisa Grande Ranch and raised award winning Santa Gertrudis cattle. The name Sonrisa Grande means Big Smile and that’s what happened when you were there. It became the heart of the family and the place where so many parties, gatherings and celebrations occurred. The ranch was a reflection of Bill’s outlook on life, finding joy in each day.

Bill was an only child and when he and Dee married in 1954, they created the kind of family he always imagined. Gail and Mark were paramount priorities. Despite traveling many weeks of the year for work, Bill was determined not to miss his children’s events and he didn’t. This level of family devotion carried through to his grandchildren. They witnessed all four of their grandchildren’s high school and college graduations.

Bill played linebacker for the Eastern Illinois football team in the late 1940’s. This fact says so much about his orientation to life; spontaneous but strategic, determined, focused and always thinking of others. He was a man of action.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and his time on the aircraft USS Hornet fortified his patriotism for the United States. After his four years of military service, Bill went back to continue his studies at Washington University in St. Louis. His career in petrochemical related field spanned 35 years.

With his dynamic personality and positive, gracious spirit, Bill was a devoted volunteer in every aspect of life in and around Brenham. Think of Bill when you see the limestone gateways announcing you are in Washington County. He was a part of that effort. He served on the boards of the Brenham State School, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Washington County Fairgrounds. Bill was on the Baylor Scott & White Foundation Board for 16 years and helped drive many critical improvements including the Surgical Department Expansion. Bill was a charter member of the Texas Rangers Foundation.

Bill was raised as a Master Mason in Illinois. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.

As a man of deep Christian faith, Bill and Dee found a church home at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Brenham where he was on the vestry, a junior and senior warden, chaired the Stewardship Committee and was a member of the choir. He will be interred at St. Peter’s columbarium.

Bill is survived by his wife Dee, his daughter, Gail and her two sons, Jake (Kacy Fitzpatrick) and Kevin Rose (Haylee Thompson) his son, Mark, his wife Leslie and their daughters, Jessica and Kaitlyn and her husband, Nick.

In remembrance of Bill’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the St. Peter’s Episcopal music program.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be planned for the future.