We the miss your stories and the twinkle eyes when  you set a spark into the quiet family meal and then with a straight face, watched  everyone  jump into a lively debate that pleased you to see the action that you had created.  There was always a happy time in your company  around your bar with a great collection of records of various bands with pop music that everyone enjoyed so much that they did not want to leave.  We will always remember your warmth and Irish humor that only you, Billy, could bring  while  you were with us.  We thank God for his gift of healing you from serious times of pain and the faith and resolve Billy had to rise over the circumstances to hold on to life.  Love is always here to comfort us and we shall meet again.
Your loving Aunt Avonna Lee

Dear Ardiss,

I imagine there is no pain more far reaching and deeper than losing one’s son.  My heart and prayers go out to you.  I know words aren’t adequate to heal your heart but I wanted you to know I liked your son and always enjoyed chatting with him from his truck when we passed each other here at the lake.  He cared so deeply about the lake and our environment.  I sure appreciated that.  Bill had a painful struggle in the end and now he’s resting peacefully.  Fill your heart with all good memories.  Bill always displayed such love for you.  

My thoughts are with you,
Deloris Maloney

Eulogy by Bill’s nephew Jon Fraser

I am lucky to have spent a great deal of time with my Uncle throughout his lifetime. He and I shared syncopated senses of humor, and always enjoyed each other’s company.

My uncle was a collector. I could spend the next several hours listing off the seemingly infinite collections he kept, but I think I can summarize it well, like this: 

He collected art; in countless mediums; with North American wildlife; great craftsmanship, and his favorite Musical artists & genres as the primary subjects. More importantly than this, he collected memories. Memories he would share and recount often with me, and with everyone else he knew. 

Uncle Bill taught me how to fish, which in turn, taught me patience, temperance, fortitude, the danger of sunburns, and an insatiable thirst for cold beer. He taught me how to be a good custodian of wildlife and wilderness, and he led me to develop my own understanding and respect for wildlife and the natural world by showing me the beauty that he saw in it.

The degree to which my Uncle helped me to develop myself cannot be overstated. I am certain he touched many, if not all of you in much the same way. 

I will miss him, and carry his memory with me every day for the rest of my life.

Thank you all for being here today to honor and remember him. 

Hello, Mrs Kenney!  I just wanted to let you know of your son’s kindness to me from 10-14-1981 when we started Washburne Trade School.   Bill would give me rides.  His ability to apply himself, and still find time for others is no secret to anyone who ever met him.  Please know I’m praying for Bill, your family and peace in your hearts.  

Sincerely,

Edward Payton

Ardiss,

We were so sorry to hear about Billy.  He went through so much during his life and yet he was such a kind man.  We always looked forward to seeing him at your parties.  Both of you have been through a long, hard road because it’s been difficult for you, too.  We wish you nothing but peace and comfort in the years ahead.

Carol and Shirley Pauss

Dearest Ardiss, your daughter and family,

I have had this Mass card for so long, but it was sent in right away when you let us know.  I thought, for sure, we would be giving it to you in person but not to be.  We are very sorry for your great loss.  A son is a beautiful gift.  We know you miss him.  I would have liked to have seen him another time.  Burt the memories of your spectacular Christmas parties will always be in our minds and hearts.  We so like Billy.  We were at the service in our hearts and prayers will continue to be sent always.  We look forward to dinner or lunch together as soon as the feeling of comfort comes.  Please God let them find a cure.  Perhaps we will appreciate the things that are most important to us: faith, family and love.  

With love and caring, 

Peter and Emma Carlino

Dear Ardiss,

I was so very sorry to hear about Bill’s passing.  Whenever we talked, he was soft-spoken, compassionate and attentive.  With all the health issues he had endured in his life, he didn’t complain and incredibly always made me feel that mine were meaningful!  I always felt that he really listened and that is a very special quality!  Your loss has to be immense and I have kept you in my prayers.  COVID has made this even more difficult for you and your family.  I am really sorry that I won’t be able to attend the service but I will have you in my thoughts.  
Very sincerely,
Doreen Pizzato

Mrs. Kenney:

It is with a sad heard that I have to tell you I will not be there to celebrate Bill’s life with you.  I will always remember the times we talked over coffee at Huck Finn’s, and him telling me about his fishing adventures (would have loved to have gone on one of them).  How he recovered from his transplants.  I will never forget the long trip up to Wisconsin we took together.   He will be missed.  I will miss him!  Sorry for your loss.  May he rest in God’s peace.

Steve Sullivan

Dear Ardiss,

Been thinking of you so often over the past week.  Hoping good memories of Billy help you through this time.  I always think of him when I’m at Huck Finn’s.  I can see him at the counter talking to his favorite waitresses.  I also see him at the spread sheets calling squares during your Super Bowl parties.  I see him and Dick smoking those “stinky” cigars.  He enjoyed every puff!  I remember him out on the fishing boat in the middle of all the pond lilies at your cottage.  Your road’s truly been bumpy for a long time, but what a caretaker and mom you’ve been!  I used to ask my mom how she managed the many rough times in her life.  She’d say, “You just do.”  Pretty sure you have the same outlook.  

Love,

Marge (and Jim) Kostka


Ardiss,

I will always remember Billy’s warm personality and his beautiful smile.  I was lucky to have known him.  I did make a donation to JDRF in his memory.  I feel sure Billy is smiling down on us all.  

Maryanne Czerwinski and George Isaacson


Ardiss,

While our hearts are heavy with his loss, we have all been greatly enriched by knowing Bill.  Please know that we will always think of him whether we are at the lake or in Oak Lawn, and that you are in our thoughts and prayers.  

The Dougala family

Dear Ardiss,

I am so very sorry for your loss! As a mother, I can’t begin to know all you must have gone through over the years with Bill’s health.  What a blessing that the transplant “took”.  But never enough years.  Bill was such a dear, sweet person and I will always remember and miss him.  I wish he had lived closer so we could have spent more time together.  Especially the last couple years when his health started failing before I moved to Montana.  I firmly believe the Bible’s promise of a resurrection and at that time no one will say “I am sick”.  It will be a joyous reunion with all our loved ones we have lost.  Please take care of yourself, especially in these worrisome times.  

Love,

Cindi Christman

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
to laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much:
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
God wanted me now, He set me free.   


In tears we saw you sinking,
We watched you fade away.
You suffered much in silence,
You fought so hard to stay.
You faced your task with courage,
Your spirit did not bend.
But still you kept on fighting
Until the very end.
God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be,
so He put His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come with Me.”
So when we saw you sleeping,
So peaceful, free from pain,
we could not with you back,
To suffer that again.
In God’s own time,
We will meet again.  


I knew Bill for the last probably 21 years from Christ Hospital where I work. I work in the Outpatient Registration department and if I was able to, I would sit and talk to Bill while he was waiting for his tests to be done. I miss having our talks. My deepest condolences to Bill's family, especially his mom, he always held you in such high regard. I know he loved you much. May you rest in peace Bill.

I will miss you my friend,the many times we had coffee togther . I remeber the long trip we took to upper Wisconsin. I enjoy your smile and admired your strength for all that you went through. You can rest now we all will meet again some day . I pray the God comforts your family at this time. Rest In Gods Peace Bill.

So many memories of Billy during the first half of his life.  The Kenney's were my first paying babysitting job when Billy was just an infant.  Patti, Jim and Billy were always in bed sleeping with my mom just two doors away.  When juvenile diabetes set in, I didn't do anything as he was taking care of it from the beginning. From the start, he showed great strength.  I'll always remember his smile.  Through so much adversity, he still smiled.  Memories of kick the can,  street softball and football, running bases on the sidewalks out front, backyard pools and 68th Place block parties all come to mind.  I didn't realize your love and fishing and wonder if it started at the Marquette Park lagoons.  Billy touched all our lives.  My condolences to his mother and chief supporter.  You filled each other's lives with love.   You are so missed by many.  From pictures, I can see you were a beloved brother and uncle to Pat and Jim's children.

Always will remember the good times at Super Bowl parties!  Also how we went out in the row boat at Tee Lake.   Only had to dip the rod in the lake to catch a fish.  All the pond lilies surrounding the boat were beautiful!  Wish our grandson had been able to fish with Billy.  He was truly a master fisherman!  Sincerely, Marge and Jim Kostka 

Bill loved nature.  Two of his favorite places were northern Wisconsin and Tee Lake.  He loved to feed the birds, fish and release, go out in the boat, sit out on the pier, and notice all the wild animals.  His spirit would settle when he was out in nature.   He and Maryann adopted a buzzard named Hortense in a wildlife zoo up north.  He rescued two baby ducks when they fell down in a grate.   They adopted a baby "moose" (stuffed animal) named Byron.  Bill, my best memories of you are when you were in your element, seeing and hearing and loving all the wildlife around you.  I will always remember you this way.  Be at peace, brother.  

My deepest condolences to the family. Although I haven’t seen you all in many years, I have fond memories of the late Mr. Kenney and your family. You are a wonderful family, and I wanted to express all the best to the family.
Wally Shalabi

OBITUARY

William Richard Kenney II

May 25, 1962 – March 9, 2020

Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home

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