Janesville, WI – The man who announced plans to build a wind-turbine-tower manufacturing plant in Keokuk died Friday morning.
Authorities say Ken Hendricks, 66,of Beloit was checking construction on his roof when he fell late Thursday night.
He passed away a few hours later.
Hendricks was a high school drop-out who became a self-made billionaire.
He founded ABC Supply, a wholesale distributor of roofing and siding supplies.
He owns several Keokuk businesses including the Southeastern Iowa Port Terminal.
It was October 10 when Hendricks and Keokuk Mayor Dave Gudgel stood before a large crowd to announce Hendricks Industries' plan to build the tower plant along the Mississippi River.
The plant will employ as many as 400 people.
Gudgel says news of his friend's death shocked him, adding that he still feels numb about the entire situation.
Gudgel says the business details will be sorted out at a later date, adding that he is still thinking about Hendricks, a person Gudgel looked at as being invincible.
Hendricks is survived by his wife and seven children.
You can hear Ken Hendricks speak prior to a speech he gave at the Grand Theater in Keokuk in May by clicking the audio link above.