Longtime industry participant Bill Pennington of Clinton, Ont. passed away peacefully on Tuesday (Dec. 31) in the company of his three children. He was 77.
Pennington worked in the racing industry for his entire life, winning 133 races as a driver in addition to training. After retiring from competition in 1985, he served as a starter, race secretary and judge.
Pennington is survived by his children Cindy (Gordon), Mike (Linda) and Corrinna (Howard); his grandchildren Nicole (Paul), Joe (Shelby), Melissa and Kate; his great-granddaughter Ivy Jo; his sisters and many friends.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Bill Pennington.
Condolences to Mike and his
Condolences to Mike and his family. Bill gave me my chance at Barrie Raceway, always fair, kept me in line, and always had time for personal chats. Rest in peace Bill, you were always first class to me.
Bill was as straight an arrow
Bill was as straight an arrow as anyone could ever imagine. In the judges booth, every “i” was dotted, and every “t” was crossed. Everything by the book.
So, one night at Windsor Raceway, I had just made a bet, and walked up to Bill sitting in his presiding judges chair, and asked him to take a look at the ticket I had just bought. As he held it in his hand looking at it, I snapped a picture. He just about had a heart attack right then and there at the thought of that picture ever reaching the public.
Associate judge Paul Harrison is still laughing 25 years later!