William Louis McKenzie Jr.'s Obituary
William L , (Bill), McKenzie Jr, 90, went to be with our Lord on May 15th, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. He was born January 22nd, 1925 in Dallas, South Dakota to William Louis, (Lou), and Esther McKenzie.
Bill grew up on his family farm near Bonesteel, South Dakota where he graduated high school and immediately joined the US Navy to serve in WW II. Bill served honorably aboard the USS Albert W Grant in the Pacific Theatre from 1943 to 1946 and was part of the occupying force in Japan.
After the war Bill returned to work on the family farm and subsequently attended the School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota. Feeling adventurous, he worked for a time in the Texas oil fields, then returned home and enrolled at the Southern State Teachers College in Springfield South Dakota and began his career in teaching. Bill taught school and coached sports in La Grange, Wyoming, Sterling, Colorado and in Glenrock, Wyoming. It was in La Grange, Wyoming where he met his future wife, Helen Christine, (Keeta), Guinn. Bill and Keeta were married March 21, 1958.
Bill subsequently worked as a Security Chief for the US Government on the Atlas Missile Project until it ended in 1965 when the Atlas was replaced by the Titan II. Bill and Keeta lived for a time in Cheyenne, Wyoming where Bill worked for the Wycon Chemical Company and then finally settled the family in Tucson, Arizona in 1972 where he accepted a position with the Anamax Mining Company. Bill worked for Anamax until his retirement.
Bill had a great love for the outdoors. He was a skilled hunter and fisherman. He especially enjoyed fly fishing and tying his own flies. He also enjoyed deer hunting while living in Colorado and Wyoming where venison was preferred to chicken, pork or beef on the dinner table. Bill had a great love for dogs and always loved and cared for them. In his leisure time, Bill enjoyed western movies and books. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Louis L'Amour were among his favorites. Bill was also an enthusiastic fan of the Arizona Wildcats sports programs, especially football, men’s basketball and women’s softball.
Bill was a very spiritual man who loved and served the church his whole life. Bill was a 33rd degree Master Mason of the Scottish Rite and last served as Deacon in the North Swan Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona.
Bill continued to deeply love and care for his wife Keeta in the family home during a lingering illness for the last years of her life and was at her bedside when she passed on in 2003. Now, finally, they are together again.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Lou and Esther, his wife Keeta, his brother Jack, his sons Joe and Chuck and his grandson John.
Bill is survived by two sisters, Kathy and Marilyn; 3 daughters, Lanya, Moni, Michi and his son Bill; twelve grandchildren, Robbie, Stephan, Lori, Keven, Matthew, Chris, Tiffani, Amy, Billy, Aaron, Melissa and Sabrena; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Bill's ashes will be laid to rest next to Keeta's on Saturday, May 30th, 2015. There will be a short grave side ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery located at 3015 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, Arizona at 10:00am.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?
