William Reginald Penn was the first of two children. His mother, Jocelyn Lewis gave birth on Aug 31st 1982 at St Elizabeth hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He has one sibling, his sister Victoria Lewis also played basketball and graduated from Stivers in 2008. Penn started his basketball journey playing on milk crates in the alleys behind his childhood home. He enrolled in Stivers School for the Arts, visual arts program in 1997. As a middle school student, young Penn tried out for the basketball team twice, but was unsuccessful in both attempts. The next summer, Young Penn practiced at Princeton Park everyday after work until dark, honing in his skills and building the confidence necessary to overcome any future challenges.
The year Stivers became a high school young Penn decided to tryout for the basketball team again. That year Penn clinch a spot on the first high school basketball team Stivers had seen in 23 years. Penn played his first organized basketball game on Dec 4, 1999; he was 16 years old. During Penn’s best year at Stivers, he averaged 18.9 pts and 11.6 rebs. Mr. Penn is a prime example of how hard work and determination can be an incredible asset. During his freshman, sophomore and junior years Penn also participated in 300 meter hurdles, 4×100 m relay, 4x400m relay, long jump, high jump and discus.
After high school Penn went to the College of Mount St Joesph and developed his leadership skills on and off the court. Mr. Penn is 41 years old now and manages multiple-million dollar projects in several cities. Mr. Penn has been married to Taylor Penn for 3 years and has five children, William II, Kaycie, Carter, Mia and Blayke. He and his family now live in Pataskala, Ohio, just east of Columbus. Mr. Penn is a firm believer in hard work and commitment. This was taught to him early on by his high school basketball coach Garry Martin. Growing up without a father, young Penn observed Garry’s work ethic and passion, not just for the game of basketball, but he observed his generosity, understanding, patience and dedication in developing young men. This is the standard in which Mr. Penn continues to manage his estate and serve his family.
