Mr. Frank M. Hennecy, Jr.

Frank M. Hennecy, Jr., 89, passed away on July 20, 2024. Born in Mullins, SC, the son of the late Frank M. Hennecy Sr. and Josephine Mayers Hennecy, Frank met his sweetheart and bride to be, Katie, in high school and courted her for several years post-graduation before marrying. Frank earned an accounting degree from USC. He joined Wilbur Smith and Associates “WSA” and was promoted many times, eventually serving as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. An international infrastructure consultancy firm based in Columbia, WSA commemorated their first 50 years in a book, stating that Frank was “a true accounting genius”. Frank led the company through the process to become 100% employee owned in 1986. Frank traveled extensively to the firm’s project sites in Europe, South America, East and South Asia, and became an accomplished international tax expert. Frank cherished his business relationships dearly and retired from WSA after 38 years of service and was recognized by the board of directors for his “great humanity and unquestioned personal and professional integrity”. He quickly found a new home for his love of accounting by volunteering to lead the count team at his beloved First Presbyterian Church for the next decade, building lasting friendships. Always by Frank’s side was his true love and champion, his wife Katie. Married in 1959, the couple settled in Columbia and became proud parents of a son and a daughter. Frank was a devoted husband and tireless father. Frank made a habit of coming home from the office for lunch with his wife. In the evenings, he was always at the family table for supper. The couple was inseparable and shared a love of the Carolina mountains, coast and their Mullins roots. They were actively involved in the community together. Frank was a patriot at heart, working in the polls and attending neighborhood precinct meetings. For several years, the couple taught 3rd grade Sunday School, making impactful relationships with their students, remaining close with many into their adulthood. Frank was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. Frank could often be found with his tools on the weekend, tinkering or working on a home improvement project for himself or his kids. He enjoyed a casual game of golf but was best skilled in his epic vegetable garden. He loved to shag dance, reminiscent of his youth on the Carolina coast. Frank was mostly known for his kindness. Frank and Katie’s marriage was beautiful to witness as they faithfully cared for one another through sickness and health. They celebrated 62 years of marriage in 2021 before Katie went to Heaven. Frank joins her now with his Savior Jesus Christ and the two are reunited, ringing true the words they had engraved on their wedding rings and continued to use through their lives: “forever your Frank” and “always your Katie”. Frank moved to Charlotte for the last three years of his life and was blessed by many angels, too many to thank individually. A special note of gratitude to all the angels at the Sanctuary at Stonehaven, Memory and Movement, Collective Therapy, Caregiving Corner and VIA Health Partners. Those left to cherish Frank’s memory are his son, Frank M Hennecy, III, daughter, Julie K Hennecy, brother, Richard Hennecy, sister, Bertha Thomas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service for Frank will be held at 11am Thursday, July 25, 2024 in the Smith Chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. The family extends an invitation to visit with them prior to the service at 10am in Jackson Hall at the Church. Burial will follow the service in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to VIA Health Partners at www.viahp.org.

Tributes

Mr. Frank M. Hennecy, Jr.

April 8, 1935 - July 20, 2024