John, Mary Anne, Susan, Kathleen, Bill, Mo, Bob, and the entire Kenney family
Our Deepest Sympathy!
In memory of Bill Kenney, 25 trees will be planted in US National forests as a living tribute to your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we fondly remember him and all that he meant to you.
From the Byrne Family

Dear Mary Anne, Susan, Kathleen, William, Maureen, John, Robert, and Family,

As the Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus, I offer you the sympathy and prayers of the Saint Viator/Sacred Heart of Mary community, as well as my own.  Know that our hearts go out to you as you begin your journey of grief.  We pray for you as you share the stories, laugh and cry, and find ways to celebrate your father and the love you shared.

As I read the obituary and Mike’s tribute for this man who loved “his family…and loved life,” and who was “the chief cheerleader for his large extended family,” I was reminded of an adaptation from a reading in the Book of Sirach.

“Let us praise an illustrious man,
faithful to his family and friends, strong in his love.
At peace in his heart and his world,
he has left us his good name, and we recount his life of praiseworthy deeds.
A generous man his good works will never be forgotten.
Among his family and friends remains a rich inheritance born of him….
His name lives on from generation to generation.
We gather to sing his praises.
We proclaim his wisdom and love of life all our days.”

May God’s promise that life is changed, not ended, comfort you!
May you feel the “beautiful and mysterious” connections provided by music!
May the knowledge your father lives on in your goodness, give you peace and hope!

Take care and God bless you with the gifts you most need!
Judy

Judith Wampach Amberg - Saint Viator High School Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus

Dear Kenney Family, My condolences to you on the loss of Bill. I would enjoy Bill's company attending Mass at Maryville with my father, John. They shared a lot of stories about their earlier years that were priceless! My prayers are with you. Kevin McCann

Grandpa Bill in April 2022 meeting my baby Cece. He sang to her and cheered for her. ❤️

Our sympathy and special prayers for Mr. Kenney and all his family and friends.

My Grandpa was one of a kind. I think he made an impression on everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. We shared a love for music, and he was always so supportive — attending performances and making us feel good by saying afterwards “you were the best one.” 
About ten years ago I wrote a five-part jazz composition inspired by him and the unique things he would say. I called it the “Big and Husky Suite.” The titles were:
I. Who's On My Property? — what he would always say as our minivan rolled into the driveway at 215 South Stratford.
II. The Janitor's Waltz — he had this idea in his head for a piece with that title, and wouldn’t let it go until I wrote it.
III. The Boys From the Institute — we all knew the chant he would bellow from time to time: “Rooty toot toot! Rooty toot toot! We are the boys from the institute!”
IV. Soft and Fluffies — what he affectionately called his granddaughters (I wish he could have met our newest “soft and fluffy,” Madeline)
…and, of course,
V. "The Best One"
It’s killing me that I can’t be there with you all today, but there’s something beautiful and mysterious about the connections we make through music — something that transcends the physical realm. Those connections make me feel close to him, even as he has just left us. He lives on through our great memories of him as a happy guy who loved his family, loved beer, and loved life. Here’s to the “Big and Husky” — we love you!
-Mike Conrad

Our prayers to the family.  Bill was a great guy. Always smiling from what I remember.  Many family get togethers that bring back fond memories!  Love, Julie and Bob Mandele (Viken)

OBITUARY

William James Kenney

May 18, 1932 – November 25, 2022

Glueckert Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services