Mr. William J Hennessy

William (Bill) J. Hennessy, 72, of Mertztown, passed away suddenly on Friday, January 28, 2022 in his residence. He was the husband of Camilla (Detra) Mallonee, whom he married on March 20, 1984.

Born in Milwaukee, WI, Bill was a son of the late William and Eunice (Derdzinski) Hennessy.

After serving in the US Army in the 1960s, Bill graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and worked as a newspaper writer for West Hawaii Today and as editor for his own newspaper, The Hilo Rain . Bill also worked as an industrial research and development technician in Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania.

Since the early 1970s, Bill was a strong advocate for environmental protection and renewable energy. Owner and operator of BerksSolar, LLC., Bill helped hundreds of students and homeowners assemble and install photovoltaic systems in Eastern Pennsylvania while serving with the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association, a nonprofit supporting renewable energy education. He taught classes in residential solar energy and heat pump technology and helped organize renewable energy programs and tours of local renewable energy projects.

Along with his wife, Camilla, Bill is survived by his daughter, Leigh D. Mallonee, Portland, OR; six brothers, Kenneth Hennessy, Thomas Hennessy (Ruth), Philip Hennessy (Jane), Christopher Hennessy (MaryBeth), Timothy Hennessy (Margie) and Joseph Hennessy (Erin); two brothers-in-law, Earl Detra and Randall Detra; and 16 nieces and nephews.

Services for Bill will be held privately by his family.

The family requests contributions be made in Bill’s memory to Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association, P.O. Box 84, Kutztown, PA 19530. Or consider installing your own home solar panels!

Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com .