William Peter Hendry, age 67, passed away peacefully on September 28,2017.
Born on March 23, 1950 in Glasgow, Scotland, he was the eldest child of Thomas Hendry, a coal miner, and Norah Coll Hendry, a grocer during the Second World War. He was a longtime resident of Rye, who proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2004.
Mr. Hendry enjoyed an extraordinary career in finance, spanning 50 years, 42 of them at the Bank of Scotland. Starting out as a bank teller at the age of 17 in Glasgow, he retired as Chief Executive North America in 2009. During that time, he held senior banking positions in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. He had extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, most notably at Drive Financial Services, where he led HBOS plc’s investment analysis group before becoming Chairman in 2000.
He was a tireless mentor who impacted both the professional and personal lives of all he worked with. As chief executive, he is fondly remembered for walking the Bank of Scotland floor each morning to personally wish all a good day with a warm smile and genuine interest.
After he retired, he launched W.P. Hendry and Associates, a bank consulting firm that handles complex business and lending issues. From 2011 to 2013, he was also chairman of First City Financial. He also served as chairman of Pharma-Cycle LLC, and as an Independent Director at Santander Consumer USA along with three public investment companies managed by The Carlyle Group, in addition to Special Adviser to Promethean Investments, which is based in London.
Mr. Hendry earned an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland and a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers.
His three great loves were family, faith, and football. Kind in spirit, he was active in many charitable endeavors, including being a longstanding supporter of the Celtic Football Club Foundation and board member of The Salvation Army.
He is survived by the love of his life, Louise Hendry, whom he began dating at the age of 17. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this past July.
He leaves behind his adoring children: Jennifer Hendry Cunniffe, Thomas Hendry, and Laura Hendry Costello, along with their spouses, Casey Cunniffe, Anna Hendry, and Chris Costello, whom he loved as his own.
Mr. Hendry was a doting “Granda” to his seven grandchildren, Finn William, Kiera Jude, Isla Grace, Dermott Fisher, Fianna Louise, William Bear, and Grace Gemmell, who enjoyed the routine everyday moments shared when taking them to school, swim meets, dance recitals, soccer matches, and secret trips to the candy or toy store.
He is also survived by his beloved sisters, Rosemary Hendry and Grace Hendry Nash, and their spouses, John Fegan and Gerry Nash of Glasgow, his lifelong friend and brother, John Corr, and countless nieces and nephews who cherished their Uncle Billy.
The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home October 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection on Friday, October 6at 10 a.m.
The family asks that donations be made in his name to Memorial Sloan Kettering.