William B. “Bill” Jennings

William B. “Bill” Jennings
June 15, 1940 – June 29, 2025

William Bryan “Bill” Jennings, 85, of Freeport (formerly of Pittsburgh and Largo, FL) passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 29, 2025.

Born in Pittsburgh on June 15, 1940, Bill was the son of the late Charles and Sarah (Donahue) Jennings. He grew up in Bloomfield as part of a boisterous bunch of brothers- causing harmless trouble in the streets, taunting the nuns from St. Joseph’s, and soaking up the rich food and culture of Pittsburgh’s Little Italy. Bill proudly graduated from Central Catholic in Oakland and spent his career working as a stationary engineer.

Everything changed the day he met his Kate. He fell in love at first sight, and she remained the one and only love of his life. Married for the past 64 years, they shared decades of laughter, love, music, and dancing.

Becoming a father was one of the greatest joys of Bill’s life. He was endlessly proud of his three daughters and that pride magnified with every grandchild and great‑grandchild welcomed into the family. Children always brought out his gentlest side- whether making silly faces to make a baby giggle, cheering at a ball game, or sneaking a cookie to a grandkid, he simply lit up around them.

For their golden years, Bill and Kathy moved to Largo, FL, where they created another chapter filled with sunshine, new friendships, and golf… lots of golf. He was an avid player (and an even more enthusiastic golf cart driver), as well as a lifelong fan of the game. He also enjoyed fishing trips, made friends with every dog, cat, and creature he met, and never turned down a hot cup of coffee, especially when shared over good conversation.

Above all, Bill was a storyteller, a jokester, and an entertainer with a booming bark, a radiant smile, and a heart big enough to hold everyone he loved. Whether he was singing, cracking a joke, or offering one of his signature warm hugs, he lived by the words of his late mother: “Laughter is the best medicine.”

He is survived by his devoted wife, Kathryn G. (Kelly) Jennings; his children, Susan (Dale) Kerr of Sarver, Kathryn (Jon) Doerr of Freeport, and Julie (Charles) Hafner of Holbrook, NY; grandchildren Mindy (Jerome) Wesley, Katrina (Andrew) Kost, Jessica (Jason) Long, Alyssa (Jim) Fazzini, Kelly (Cory) Ballard, Olivia (Stanley) Himelinski, CJ (Kay) Hafner, Shannon Doerr, Alexandra Hafner, and Zachary Hafner; and great-grandchildren Anabel and Nicholas Fazzini; Anderson Kost; Lydia, Cooper, and Garrett Long; Xavier and Ava Wesley; and Stanley, Steven, and Calvin Himelinski. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Evelyn Alder, and Charles (Bud), Coleman (Coey), and John (Jack) Jennings.

Friends will be received on Sunday, 7/6, from 3-5pm, at Redmond Funeral Home, 524 High Street, Freeport. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, 7/7 at 11am at St. Mary Mother of God, 608 High Street, Freeport with Father Richard J. Kosisko, JCL officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause close to Bill’s heart.

May we honor him by living with laughter, loving with open arms, and dancing in the kitchen.

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