William Hendry

Bill was born in Bremerton, Washington to Hansina and Arthur Hendry. He loved hiking, skiing, camping and scouting with troop 512 where he became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Bremerton High School in 1939 and began an apprenticeship program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. During World War ll he enlisted in the Navy and due to high aptitude scores was selected for radar tech school and sent to Navy Pier in Chicago. While there he met the love of his life, Joan Lauzon, at the Aragon Ballroom. After the war they were married July 27th 1946.

After attending Olympic College, the University of Washington and the University of Illinois Bill returned to PSNS in the Design Division as a naval architect until he retired as a supervisor after 36 years. He then worked for Art Anderson and Associates for many more years. He was a devout member of Star of the Sea Catholic Church where he served many roles including head lector, cantor, parents club president and tireless fundraiser for the school. He belonged to Sons of Norway, Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society and Bremerton Elks Club. Early on he and Joan founded the Happy Hoppers Dance Club which eventually turned into a pot luck club where they enjoyed their same friends for over 50 years. Bill and Joan loved Hawaii and often took vacations there with family.

Bill was truly “out-daughtered”. After a full day at the Navy Yard he came home to remodel the house adding two bedrooms and a pink bathroom. Fulfilling a promise to his wife he made sure the whole family went to Chicago every few years to stay in touch with the relatives there. He manfully drove seven females in a station wagon without a radio or A/C, camping every night, stopping at every national monument on the way. He always expressed disbelief that it took us so long at restroom stops. We never heard a bad word but learned to do a lot of singing to relieve the boredom. He also invented the “quiet game”. First one who talks is in big trouble. This game could go on for many hours.

As he wished he will be remembered for the love he had for his family. He ensured that we had a wonderful childhood complete with the Tiger Lake cabin and the old pink ski boat. Always supportive of the six girls’ activities Bill and Joan attended more concerts, plays and parades than most school staff members. As 4-H parents they attended fairs and worked at the camp. He was a model of integrity. He went around the house looking for PSNS pencils and returned them when he retired. He took care of Joan quietly and heroically as her Alzheimer disease progressed allowing her to stay at home until nearly the end. Other than the Mariners and Vitamin C (chocolate), he liked nothing better than big family reunions and began dropping hints for his ‘surprise’ birthday party every year.

We will always remember him singing- he rather fancied that he sounded like Bing Crosby. Bill happily took requests from the ladies at his home at Bay Pointe Retirement Community where he resided for the past 2 years. He was a great favorite of the staff and our family is indebted to them for their compassionate and respectful care.

Bill is survived by his daughters Gail (Tom), Gerri, Janet (Paul), Nancy, Marilyn (Ken) and Beverly (Bob). He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. In heaven he joins his wife Joan, his parents, brothers Jack and Fred and grandson Benjamin Bernier.

On Monday, October 29th at Our Lady Star of the Sea there will be a rosary at 10:30, with a funeral Mass at 11:00. Reception to follow. Remembrances may be made to St. Vincent DePaul. Visit www.willer-woodlawn.com for further information