William "Bill" J. Penkala, Sr.

     On Thursday, December 26, 2024, William “Bill” Joseph Penkala, Sr. of Severn, MD passed away suddenly with family by his side. Bill was born on May 14, 1957, in Ft Meade, MD. Bill’s father was in the Army and the family traveled a lot. Growing up, he lived in different locations, including Indiana, Texas and Germany. He really loved living in Germany and shared many stories of those years with his wife.

When his dad retired from the military, the family settled in Laurel, MD, where Bill attended Laurel High School. He played on the varsity football team and was in the ROTC. After a few years of working various jobs, and having his first child, he met Pat on Christmas Eve in 1983 at his brother’s wedding. The two of them hit it off immediately and were married in July 1984. Together, they had four children.

He worked for 17 years at East Coast Ice Cream in Laurel and made some life-long friends there. He then worked for Class Produce in Jessup, MD and, again, made some life-long friends while working there. He retired from Class Produce in December 2023. He had several hobbies, including bowling and fishing. He played the guitar a little bit, and was a big fan of Elvis Presley. His biggest passion was cooking out on the grill and the smoker, and he called himself the Barbeque King. He taught his brother and his son how to cook on the smoker. Anyone who tasted Bill’s pulled pork, or bratwurst or ribs knows how well he could cook. He also enjoyed his vehicles. He had a Monte Carlo SS for about 12 years and then bought his Camaro in 2018, which he was so very proud of. 

Bill was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church in Glen Burnie, MD (formerly Holy Trinity Church) for 38 years. He was a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus since 1990 and was Grand Knight of Fr. McGivney Council 7025 in July 2023 – June 2024. He was very proud to be a charter member of St Pope Paul VI 4th degree assembly of the Knights of Columbus Bill had a great sense of humor and easily made friends with people. He really cared about his family. He was a man of peace and anyone who met him would instantly feel comfortable around him. His family will miss him greatly, as will many others whose lives he touched.

 He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia A. Penkala; loving children William J. Penkala, Jr., Laura C. Booth and her husband, Randall, Michael T. Penkala, Shannon M. Simpson and Adam S. Penkala and his, wife Lauren; devoted grandchildren, Chloe, Joshua, Destiny, Kayleigh, Kelly, Kristina, Hannah and Gianna; and cherished great-grandson, Ryder. He is also survived by his dear siblings, Andy, Theresa, Kathy and Joe; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, in-laws and many loving friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Joseph Penkala.

     Family and friends are invited to gather at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, PA, 1 2nd Avenue, SW, (at Crain Highway), Glen Burnie, MD 21061 on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 7436 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 at 10:00 AM. His Committal Service and Interment will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Park, Glen Burnie, MD.