In honor of my father

Billy Eric Pennal, Ph.D., 82, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2012, in Granbury.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 16, 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Granbury.

Bill was born April 5, 1930 in Nocona, Texas to Eric Derring Pennal and Ollie Jean Lemon Pennal. In 1951 Bill married Mary Lou Forrester, whom he had met at the beginning of their college years. They celebrated their 60th anniversary this past August, 2011 with the help of their wonderful children Eric and Susan and their spouses.

Bill graduated from Nocona High School in 1946 at age 16, and entered what was then North Texas State Teachers College the following September. He earned a BA degree in Art in 1949 and continued as a graduate student until joining the U.S. Air Force in August 1950 after the beginning of the Korean War. He remained in the Air Force 10 1/2 years, earning the rank of Tech Sergeant. During that time he was able to finish his graduate studies, earning an MA degree. He served the last few years in California as Crew Chief on KC-135 aircraft, one of his favorite jobs among several careers during his life. After leaving the Air Force he worked at Vought Aircraft in Grand Prairie. There he utilized both his aircraft and art training as a technical illustrator.

After several years he began working toward a degree in psychology, earning first an MS and then his Ph.D. in 1975. From 1975 to 1978 he was a member of the adjunct faculty in the Psychology Department at the University of North Texas in Denton. Dr. Pennal maintained a private practice in Clinical Psychology, his other favorite career until retirement in 1994. After 31 years in Irving, Texas, the Pennals moved to DeCordova in 1992, maintaining their office until retiring in 1994.

His many hobbies included flying his own airplane, painting, sculpture and computers. He loved music and enjoyed playing the harmonica.

Dr. Pennal was preceded in death by his parents, Eric and Ollie Pennal. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son Eric and his wife Sandee of Sachse; daughter Susan Ator and her husband Robert Ator and their daughter Marianna of Silver Spring, MD; brother Charles Pennal and his wife Shirley of Grand Junction, CO; cousin Sue Dowden of DeCordova; nephews Eric and Charles and their familes of Colorado; and many friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends for Animals or First Presbyterian Church in Granbury.