BILLY WALLACE 'BILL'
TENPENNY, Jr., 61

LAKELAND - Bill Tenpenny, 61, passed away surrounded by his loving family, on February 7th, 2019 at Good Shepherd Hospice of Lakeland, Florida.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Tenpenny, Sr. and Betty Lois (Curtis) Fender. He is survived by his 6 children, Phillip Chappell (Alexandra), John Grant, Carlen Koetsch (Chad), Tamar Tenpenny, Meghan Tenpenny and Giulia Tenpenny; grandchildren Alexis Chappell, Spencer Chappell, Aria Koetsch, Adrian Montes and Vanessa Chappell; siblings Susan Tenpenny, Cathy Adams, Bryan Tenpenny (Tina); former daughter-in-law, Tina Chappell; former wife and life-long friend, Laura Tenpenny and many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Born on June 14th, 1957 in Lebanon, Tennessee, Bill and his family moved to Lakeland in 1963. Bill worked at Talbot House and for many years at St. Joseph's Church and School in Lakeland. For the past 13 years, Bill was employed with the Diocese of Orlando at Santa Fe Catholic High School.
Bill Tenpenny's life was the definition of service and humility. He is credited as being an integral part of the addiction recovery community of Lakeland and Polk County. Through the Hospitals and Institutions program, Bill carried the message of addiction recovery to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, the Polk County Jail, the Polk Correctional Institution and Polk County Detox. He was the founder of Refuge Recovery of Lakeland, a teacher and mentor of Orlando Insight Meditation Group and the Lakeland Zen community. He was on the steering committee and was the retreat organizer for the Lakeland Meditation Group.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lakeland Mediation Group for retreat scholarships. Contact Ken Turner at 352-552-5829 for information on making a donation.
Bill's message of truth, spirituality, and love was freely given to all he has met and is being passed on now: 'Be Love.'
A funeral Mass will be held on February 18th at 1:30 pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 210 W. Lemon St., Lakeland, Florida.

Published in Ledger from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2019

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