William Brenish

William “Wild Bill” Brenish, 91, of Elysburg, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 20, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Hawk Run, PA on November 23, 1932. Bill was the youngest son of 14 siblings of Hungarian Czechoslovakian immigrants that came through Ellis Island, NY in 1900. Bill was a proud Korean War Veteran serving in the U.S. Army in both Korea and Guam. He loved to share that he dropped out of high school in 1949 at age 17 to join the Army and that the Armed Forces College G.I. Bill led him to a life of pursing education. He graduated from Clarion University in 1957 with a History Education Degree. In 1961, he obtained a master’s degree from Penn State University in Educational Leadership. He relocated to Catawissa in 1960 for a teacher’s role with the Southern Columbia Area School District. He later became Southern Columbia’s Drivers Education teacher retiring in 1991 after 34 years of teaching service in PA. Bill appreciated learning about his student’s interests and future ambitions as he enhanced thousands of Southern Columbia graduates driving skills, which created funny stories while navigating the roads with his students. He desired to influence others to pursue educational opportunities, using his personal story of growing up with non-English speaking parents. Bill married Carol McDowell formerly of Clearfield, PA in 1965. He was fond of his grandchildren (Harmony and Landon) and followed the lives of his dozens of nieces and nephews as they become productive members of their communities. He enjoyed traveling, following Southern Columbia athletics, and socializing with his fellow teachers and friends. He was an avid trout fisherman and recreational hunter. Bill grew up in a Greek Orthodox Church and in his later years become a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley. Surviving is his wife of 59 years, Carol McDowell Brenish of Elysburg. His daughter Shana Brenish and her husband Mauricio Parada of Anaheim, CA. His son Kenyon Brenish and wife Christine of Park City, UT. Two grandchildren, Landon Brenish of South Bend, IN and Harmony Brenish of Salt Lake City, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Joanna Brenish; six brothers, Andy, George, Michael, Johnie, Pete, Eddie; and seven sisters, Annie, Betty, Helen, Margaret, Mary, Sophie, Verna. A celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth St., Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Brenish family. Memorial contributions may be sent Payable too: “Southern Columbia Area School District”: 800 Southern Drive, Catawissa, PA 17820 8410 Attn: William Brenish Educational Scholarship Fund.

William Brenish

November 23, 1932 - May 20, 2024