William Basilian Pendergast
William Basilian “Bill” Pendergast passed away on September 13, 2026. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, to Thomas and Lilian (Jackowski) Pendergast, Bill was raised in Newport’s Fifth Ward and remained deeply connected to the city and its community throughout his life.
Bill attended St. Augustin’s School and De La Salle Academy before graduating from Salve Regina College. As a young man, he was active and athletic, winning the New England Regional Roller-Skating Championships in the 1950s.
In 1967, Bill joined the Newport Police Department, beginning a career of more than two decades in service to his community. He retired as a Sergeant in 1988 and continued working for the department as its IT Manager before retiring from the city in 2012.
Bill leaves behind his wife of more than 45 years, Sophia; his children, Barbara Pendergast Thomas of Marlboro, MA; Judy Roberts (Don) of Newark, OH; Bill Pendergast (Tawnia) of Deltona, FL; Christine Corpus of Alameda, CA; Tiffany Bowens of North Charleston, SC; Julie Mott (Kevin) of Alexandria, VA; and Jessica D’Amore of Newport, RI; his sisters, Sr. Mary Pendergast and Patricia Pendergast-Mitola; 16 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren and his dear brother-in-law, Frank Gerardi of Newport, RI.
He was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Vanessa Anne Pendergast; his grandson, William (Billy) Pendergast III; his sister, Connie Krous; his brother, Thomas Pendergast.
Bill was a founding member of Families Insisting on Safe Student Transportation (FISST), joining with other Rhode Island families to advocate for improved school transportation safety. Their efforts resulted in legislation requiring school bus monitors on all Rhode Island K–5 school buses, along with eight additional safety mandates. This important legislation has helped protect generations of Rhode Island children and most importantly, zero children have been killed from Rhode Island school buses with monitors since its passage.
Bill’s life was defined by his dedication to his family, his community, and the safety of Rhode Island’s children.
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Funeral services will be private.
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