William Joseph McKinney

April 13, 1932 - August 9, 1932

Retired U.S. Air Force Captain, American Express Officer, and an all-around good man wrote recently, “Feel no sadness for me, I had a great life”. Bill was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia and grew up in Weston, where he graduated from high school in 1950. Always proud of his state, he continued his education at West Virginia University, graduating in 1954 with a degree, a lifelong love of reading, and the desire to serve others. “I dearly loved WVU and my fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, my whole life”. He served with the U. S. Air Force SAC (Strategic Air Command) and earned two sets of wings as a navigator and flight engineer. He also held a private pilot’s license for many years. Bill joined Investors Diversified Services in 1959 and worked there (now American Express, Ameriprise) for nearly forty years, a career that took him around the world, “who could ask for anything more”. He also worked as a volunteer most of his life, becoming President of the Parkersburg West Virginia Jaycees, and the General Festival Chairman of the Minneapolis Minnesota Aquatennial. Bill and Del, his lifelong partner, were married August 22nd, 1959, in Buckhannon West Virginia, “The principal reason my life has been so happy”. They had four children, all of whom survive them: Laura McKinney, Estero Florida; Jay McKinney (Karen), Carver, Minnesota; Mark McKinney (Dena), Lakeville, Minnesota; and Barry McKinney (Sharon), Chanhassen, Minnesota. Also, eleven grandchildren, eight great grands. He was predeceased by his grandfather, Dr William McCauley of Sutton West Virginia, his grandmother Mary Norris and his mother and father, Alma and Joseph Russell McKinney, his brother J. Russ McKinney, and numerous cousins and friends. Bill loved all their various places of residence in West Virginia, Minnesota, and Florida, but especially his retirement home in Shadow Wood C.C. in Bonita Springs, Florida. At his request he died there after two painful years battling cancer and other ailments. He had asked to be returned to his hometown of Weston for watery burial with only his family in attendance. “So, shed no sad tears for my passing, I have had a long, happy, and successful life”. Del adds: We all know how much Bill liked to talk and be with people; yet, sadly, at the end of his life he could not hear or speak and was mostly blind. This very public man had also decided he wanted no celebration of his 89 years because “a good life needs no fanfare”. Instead think of him briefly the next time you hear “Country Roads” being sung or have a rum and Coke and remember his love of life’s journey. Quotations are from some of Bill’s writings throughout his life.