Bill Hennessy will be remembered as a passionate man who loved Weipa and its people. Photo: Ian Anderson.
Even as dementia took his memories and life, Bill Hennessy always knew that Weipa was where his heart was until the end.
Now, his loved ones want to ensure he is brought home to the community he gave his all to as his final resting place.
Mr Hennessy spent the final years of his life in Brisbane when friend and former Weipa resident Malissa Midson took him in to care for him through a dementia and Parkinson’s diagnosis.
With the nursing home draining his funds, Ms Midson put together a fundraiser to help his family get Mr Hennessy home to rest.
“I love Bill, and he is just the ultimate in terms of who he was and what he gave back to Weipa,” she said.
“He would sit down and talk to everybody at the nursing home about Weipa, so they all knew Weipa, they knew the characters of Weipa, the fishing; he definitely talked up Weipa.
“I just feel Bill would be at home if he was up in Weipa, and that’s why I’m doing this.”
Mr Hennessy is being remembered as a social butterfly who knew everyone and everything about Weipa.
Long-time friend Krystle Ellis, who met Mr Hennessy through work, said his chattiness and open nature made her feel welcome and at home in the community when she moved to Weipa two decades ago.
“I’ve known him for about 20 years, I think; he was one of the first people I met when I moved up here,” she said.
“He knew everyone and he was always up for a chat, so I think I certainly won’t be alone in thinking that he was a big part of making a lot of people feel welcome here.
“He’s the sort of person who made a lasting impact on people. It was very sad to see him go.”
Ms Ellis regularly visited Mr Hennessy in Brisbane, and said he was always keen to catch up on Weipa’s latest.
“He really missed Weipa; he loved this place and everyone here, and always had really fond stories of the community,” she said.
“He would always ask how everyone is, and I’d have to get into a lot of detail, especially about some of his old mates from the Bowls Club and people that used to work with us.
“I think the passion that he had for the community and the people in it is a big thing that he should be remembered by.”
Mr Hennessy’s son, Michael, or his grandchildren, will be the ones to take him on his final journey home and scatter his ashes.
Though they had a complex relationship, he thanked the Weipa community for surrounding him with love.
“I just appreciate everyone for loving him for all his quirks and supporting him, because once he went up there, he basically became a Weipaite,” he said.
“My father and I have been appreciative of Mal’s assistance for the last few years.
“She really took him under her wing and helped him out, moved him down and got him into care, so she’s been an integral part.”
To help bring Mr Hennessy home, go to this GoFundMe page.
Krystle Ellis visited Mr Hennessy regularly, keeping the memory of Weipa alive for as long as possible. Photo: Supplied.
