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Raised in Pensacola, Willenzik attended Tulane University and was valedictorian of his senior class, then studied law at the University of Florida. He served in the [[Navy]] during [[World War II]]. Returning to Pensacola, he and his father, [[William Willenzik|William]], launched the Pensacola Restaurant Supply Company on [[April 1]], [[1946]], and quickly expanded their business from 1,600 square feet to 36,500 square feet.<ref name="forsale">"Historic buildings for sale." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 11, 2003.</ref> Ownership expanded additionally to Oscar's brother, [[Norman Willenzik|Norman]] by 1952. Company employees included Willenzik's sister-in-law, [[Carla Willenzik|Carla]], who was his secretary among other jobs at the store, and wife, [[Ethel Willenzik|Ethel]], who was the bookkeeper.
Facing an economic downturn in the new century, Willenzik consolidated much of his business and let go about half of his employees, including several family members, including nephews-in-law and salesmen [[Michael Friedman]] and [[Richard Haller]], as well as niece [[Marcy Friedman]] by 2002.<ref name="forsale"/> In October [[2006]], the [[City of Pensacola]]'s [[Code Enforcement Board]] cited the Willenziks for code violations on their two properties. Oscar wrote to the ''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'' in response to the code citation:
{{cquote|I am still operating Oscar's Penko, Inc. as successor to Pensacola Restaurant Supply, at times unprofitably, primarily to avoid these buildings becoming vacant and being victims of vandalism and decay. [[Hurricane Ivan]] came and left its destruction, accompanied by a myriad of large problems never before experienced in our area during my lifetime. … We have already spent approximately $1,262,000 on repairs, and are in the process of entering into new written contacts, estimated to be in excess of $400,000, to complete this project. … Even Ivan, the most catastrophic hurricane to ever hit our area, and Father Time of 88 years can never take away the pride and love I have for these two buildings. It has been two years of frustration, perseverance and hard work. I hope there will be gratification in the end.<ref>"Building repair a priority downtown." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 19, 2006.</ref>}}
