He was the best husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved his wife, Karenjune, with all his heart. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of his life. But mostly, Bill loved to fish.
He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to William V. Kay, Sr. and Helen Hildebrand Kay, on January 15, 1943. At the age of 12, he and his family moved to warmer climes in Hollywood, Florida. There he learned to be a lifeguard and to scuba dive. His love of blue water was born during this time. In August, 1961, he joined the Navy. He did basic training in San Diego. During his time in the Navy, he was a search and rescue diver serving on two ships, the USS Rainier and the USS Higbee. One of his proudest moments was working on the Gemini Project. He left the Naval Service in August, 1967.
Bill returned to South Florida and went to school to become a sheet metal apprentice. He worked in the construction business until 1972, when he joined the Hollywood Fire Department and had found his calling. He retired in 2004, as Assistant Fire Marshall.
He and Karenjune Newport Kay married in August of 1988 and began an incredible adventure that was filled with love and laughter. Boating , scuba diving and spending time with family were the things they enjoyed the most.
He and Karenjune then traveled and rode motorcycles, moving to Deland, Florida. During their travels they discovered East Tennessee. In 2005 they moved to Jonesborough where Bill found his favorite pastime, fishing. They then moved to Afton to live on the banks of the Nolichucky River. They kayaked and fished and enjoyed their children and grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife of the home: Karenjune; his children: Diana and Tim McNeil, Bill III and Lisa Kay, Kathy and Adam Monreal, Chrissy Kay, John Ellis, Jennifer and Ben Williams, and Lisa and Dan Paul. He was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday, August 27, from 6-8 pm at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home, Rosary to follow.
The Catholic Mass will be Friday, August 28 at 10:30 am at Notre Dame Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Kuzhupil officiating.
Burial will be at a later date.
