Claud William “Bill” McKenzie, Jr., age 73, passed away on June 3, 2020 at UAB Hospital. He was born in Birmingham to Louise and Claud McKenzie, Sr. His marriage was to Carolyn Copeland in 1982. She and his parents preceded him in death. Bill is survived by Carolyn’s biological children, Amy Copeland, Marti Kirkes, Heather (Dustin) Simms and Rusty (Kristin) Copeland, all of whom he embraced, cherished, loved and raised as his own. He delighted in his grandchildren Jeremy, Mason, Scott, Megan, Nolan, Oliver, Walker and Adeline. Also surviving are his sister Margaret (Jon) Howell, nephew McKenzie (Jean) Ballou, niece Nicole (Doug McClure) Ballou, grandnephews Andrew and Otis and grandniece Maggie. The sole family survivor of his parents’ generation is his loving, maternal Aunt Margaret Goodman. Numerous cousins of his generation also survive.
Bill attended Phillips High School in Birmingham, Florida College in Temple Terrace and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
He was an avid reader of books and histories about WWII, his keen interest having begun when his father, a sergeant in Patton’s 3rd Army, shared stories of his service in Europe. He was also a serious student of the Bible, continuing and documenting his studies in his home after his disabilities prevented him from attending services with his fellow worshippers of the Mt. Olive Church of Christ.
For over 20 years Bill lived and worked in Iowa and Texas in automotive and retail industries and he operated his own lawn service. Before he left Birmingham, he helped care for his father during his terminal illness in 1977 and he returned in 2004 to provide elder care for his mother and uncle. His Birmingham-area cousins, Aaron, Jane and Kathleen were integral in assisting his sister and brother-in-law to ensure that he was able to live in his own home as long as possible. And his special daily in-home care providers, Beverly and Shuntoi helped him to remain as independent as possible during the last three years of his life. Regular and frequent visitations by Mark, his brother in Christ, were enjoyed by Bill and appreciated by his family.
Tho imposing in stature, he will be remembered as a kind, gentle and friendly man by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at a later time.
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