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Former president of Blenko Glass dies at age 94

Herald-Dispatch photo by Howie McCormick William Henry Blenko Jr. speaks with society member Dave Tennant on Thursday, August 9, 2007. Blenko served as Blenko Glass Company from 1969 to 1996.
Herald-Dispatch photo by Howie McCormick
William Henry Blenko Jr. speaks with society member Dave Tennant on Thursday, August 9, 2007. Blenko served as Blenko Glass Company from 1969 to 1996.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Former president of Blenko Glass Company, William Henry Blenko Jr., died Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at his residence. He was 94 years old. Blenko was the third generation to work at Blenko Glass Company. His grandfather, William J. Blenko, founded the company in Milton in 1930. Blenko Jr. became president of Blenko Glass in 1969 upon the death of his father, William Blenko Sr. He worked as president until retiring in 1996.

“Known to his employees, friends and family as ‘Bill,’ ‘Dude’ or ‘Mr. B,’ he will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him,” it was written in a post on Blenko Glass’ Facebook page.

Blenko Jr. was introduced into the hand-blown glass trade at an early age, learning various phases of the company’s operation, according to his bio on blenko.com. He worked at the plant during summers while in school.

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