William E. (Bill) Hennessey

William Earl (Bill) Hennessey, 100, of Spokane, Washington passed away peacefully on

May 4th, 2026. He was born on December 15th,1925 in Malden, Washington, or as he

liked to call it, “The Hub of the Universe”. His parents were Earl and Esther Hennessey.

He was the youngest of three children. Bill grew up during the Great Depression. His mother passed away when Bill was only nine years old. His father worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, and his job frequently took him out of town. 

Bill graduated from Pine City High School. After graduation, he briefly attended Washington State University, then enlisted in the US Navy in February 1944. He served in the WWII Pacific Theatre for 2 years. Bill credited his military service and the GI Bill for changing his life.

After returning from the Navy, Bill began dating Betty McBride, a Rosalia

girl he met before the war. It was love at second sight, and they were wedded 3 months later, beginning a wonderful marriage that lasted 78 ½ years.

Bill graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1951. As a new attorney needing to make a living, Bill practiced all fields of law. Over time, he developed a respected specialty in real estate and estate planning law.  Bill’s law firm grew and eventually became known as Hennessey and Edwards, PS. He served for many years on the Washington State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics. 

Bill and Betty both loved to golf. Bill was a lifelong golfer, and loved playing at Indian

Canyon and Downriver with his large group of friends. On the course he became

renowned for his “reactions of absolute shock” that he’d missed yet another three-foot

putt. But Bill’s patience paid off… he had two hole-in-ones, and at 82, he finally shot his

age.

In their later years, Bill and Betty spent winters in California, always in the company of

dear friends. They also loved to travel, frequently going on group vacations with the

Shriners.

Bill and Betty loved to dance. Their favorite music was from the Big Band Era. In their advanced years, they loved participating in the “Anniversary Dance” at their grandchildren’s weddings… winning the contest by decades.

Bill is survived by his children, Paula Hennessey, Kevin (Kitty) Hennessey, and Scott

(Jo) Hennessey; his grandchildren Connor (Ella) Hennessey, Taylor (Jenna) Hennessey, Shea (Jon) Clift, Shawn (Ben) Loewen, and Kelly (Nick) Somers; and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Esther Hennessey; his wife Betty; and his sisters Olive (Dean) Cook and Edna (Bill) Sanderson.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 7th at 1:00pm at Manito Golf and

Country Club (5303 S. Hatch Road, Spokane, Washington). This event is open to all

who wish to celebrate Bill’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

When asked about his greatest accomplishments, Bill said without hesitation, “family is

the most desirable thing”.

Bill and Betty built a beautiful life together. We are proud to be their children

and grandchildren. We already miss Bill dearly, but will forever remember his

quiet resolve and strength, his kindness and intelligence, and his caring gestures of a

patriarch who was always present for his loved ones.