William George Hendrick, 86, died peacefully surrounded with prayer at the Hart House of Wellsville on Sunday, November 22, 2022. He was born in Rochester the son of the late Basil and Ruth Hendrick and Isabel Pécor. In 1982 he married his wife of 40 years, Ann Searle, who survives.
He was a lifelong resident of Wellsville and a devoted community leader. He graduated from Wellsville High School Class of 1955. Bill joined the US Army, serving in Korea from 1957 to 1959 with Honorable Discharge. Upon returning from the service, Bill was employed at Loblaws Grocery Store and Dresser Rand before purchasing the Arco Gas Station on the corner of State and Main Street in Wellsville. He converted it to the first Convenience Gas Store in the area. Owned and operated for 26 years, Bill was awarded “Store of the Year” for the North East Division of Area AM PM convenience stores in 1981 and was elected and served on the Sunoco Company Dealer Advisory Board in Philadelphia, PA for two years and elected Chairman of this board in his second year of his term, prior to selling Hendrick’s A Plus in 1996. In addition, he founded “Annie’s Ice” and Hendrick’s Plowing Businesses. Bill worked at Fassett Lane Home Building Center for a number of years as well as a salesman for Kubota Tractor Sales.
Bill was a life member of the Emerald Hook and Ladder Fire Company. He was a member for many years of the Wellsville Lions club, serving as a past President. He was elected and served 20 consecutive years a dedicated Village Trustee. As a member of the elks club of Wellsville, Bill contributed to many of their charitable events and was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. Bill will be best remembered by many as a Servant leader to the community of Wellsville. Whether it was his known or unknown acts of kindness, Bill took great pride in just helping others.
He was a member of the Wellsville Country Club for several years, enjoying the game of golf with many friends and family. He was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed many years of building and sharing his craftsmanship. He really enjoyed gardening every year and always shared the reap with neighbors and family. Bill was an avid fan of the NY Yankees and Buffalo Bills.
Surviving, in addition to his loving wife, Ann, are: children, Lori, Linda, Jim, Brian, and Bridgette; grandchildren; brothers and sisters in law, Jeanne and Kevin Harris, Judy and Doug Lynch, and Patrick and Jacqueline Searle; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Basil and Ruth, he was predeceased by: a son, Donald; a brother, James B. Hendrick; and his parents-in-law, James and Elizabeth Searle. He was blessed with a loving family, many many close friends and neighbors who will always remember him for his recollection of years gone by of people, places, and events of the Wellsville area and his giving spirit of friendship to all.
Ann wishes to express sincere gratitude of the compassionate and continuous care of Bill during the last two years of his struggling health, especially to Dr. Picco and Nurses, and to all the Healthcare Teams during the hospitalizations at Jones Memorial Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville, 36 Maple Avenue. Per Bill’s wishes, please consider memorial donations to the Hart Comfort House, the Elks Club Scholarship Fund, and the Immaculate Conception School “Tuition Angels” Fund. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
