William McKinley Tennant Sr.

William McKinley Tennant, Sr., of Needham, formerly of Brookline and Brighton, passed away at home on Friday, October 2, 2020.  He was 90 years old. Born in Boston, Bill was the son of the late James C. and Margaret (Sim) Tennant.

He was a graduate of Brighton High School, Class of 1949. In 1948, Bill was the First Place Winner of the Boston Public Schools Science Fair and Third Honors in the New England Science Fair where the theme was electric reproduction of sound and he built an 8 key, electric organ.

Bill was a Korean War, US Army Veteran. His career as a draftsman and designer spanned 5 decades, having worked at General Control Company, Arkless Switch Company, Lion Precision, Sullivan and Cogliano and retiring from W.R. Grace Company in 1995.

An active Mason, Bill was a three- time Past Master and 58 year member of Bethesda Lodge. He was a Past President of the Past Master’s Association, 5th District and Past master of 34th Lodge of Instruction. He was a member of St. Paul’s Royal Arch Chapter, the Commandry and the Aleppo Temple Shriners. Bill was a 30 year member of the Savin Hill Yacht Club, a member of the U.S. Power Squadron and The Massapog Sportsman Club. Bill was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Bill’s adventurous travels took him to Germany, Switzerland, England, Scotland, Wales, Bermuda, St. Martin, Iceland, Belgium and Italy.

Bill was the beloved partner for 44 years of Linda Bloom of Needham and the father of William M. Tennant Jr. of Nashua NH and Brenda J. Tennant and her husband William Franks of Merrimack NH. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late James, Albert and Carl Tennant.

Funeral Services and interment with Military Honors at The Gardens Cemetery were private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St, Suite B-102, Danvers Ma 01923 or online at www.caredimensions.org 

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