William Joseph "Billy" Hennessy

William Joseph "Billy" Hennessy , 74 of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Born on November 10, 1951 in Charleston, SC Billy was a son of the late Leah Elizabeth (Ravenel) Hennessy and the late William Joseph Hennessy, Sr.

A true local boy, Billy grew up and spent his entire life East of the Cooper. He graduated from Bishop England High School in 1969, the University of South Carolina in 1974 and the University of South Carolina Law School in 1977. Billy along with cousin Larry Dodds started Dodds & Hennessy law firm in 1980 and it continues today as Dodds, Hennessy, and Stith.

When he wasn’t working he loved boating the creeks and rivers of the lowcountry and traveling the world with Debbie. He was an Eagle scout, past president of the South Carolina Irish Historical Society and member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina. Billy was often a comforting voice of reason when friends were in need. He was also known to shuffle a few cards on Tuesday night with “the boys”.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, William Joseph Hennessy, Sr. and Leah Elizabeth (Ravenel) Hennessy; and brother, Mark Hennessy. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Hennessy; brother, Frank Hennessy; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Hennessy and Paula Hennessy Allred; nieces, Leah Hennessy, Sarah Hennessy, Holly Limon, and Shannon Bundschuh; and nephew, Jake Hennessy.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caretakers of Home Care Plus and the Kempton.

A Celebration of Life service will be held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at the Cooper River Room, 99 Harry Hallman Jr. Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Respite Care Charleston, 1605 Harborview Road, Charleston, SC 29412.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-874-3833.