William Griffin Kennary

Born August 15, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan to Rosemary Griffin Kennary and Dr. James Martin Kennary, Sr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Johnson City, Tennessee at NHC Healthcare Johnson City following a lengthy illness.

William “Bill” Kennary was an alumnus of University of Detroit Jesuit High School in Detroit, Michigan. A Detroit native, he went on to graduate from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1956.

Dr. Kennary served as a Sergeant in United States Army from 1957-1960 and was honorably discharged

Dr. William G. Kennary graduated from the University of Detroit Dental School in 1966. He owned and practiced dentistry at William G Kennary DDS in Gaylord, Michigan, and practiced dentistry in Clinton Township for a total of over forty years. He was a member of the Michigan Dental Association.

Married to Marjorie Diane Bible in 1964 and they enjoyed a fifty-three-year marriage until Diane’s passing in 2018.

Predeceased by his wife and by his brothers James Kennary, Jr., Thomas Kennary, and sisters Patricia Kennary, Kathleen Kennary Montagne and Rosemary Sheila Kennary.

Bill was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Gaylord, Michigan, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Johnson City. Bill was an avid golfer and a member of the Hidden Valley Club in Gaylord, Michigan.

Bill and Diane relocated to Johnson City Tennessee for their retirement in 1998. Bill was active in the Tri-Cities senior golf community and volunteered at the Veterans Administration in the Dental Office.

Bill is survived by his brother Timothy Kennary, his sister-in-law Nancy Bible Hall, sister-in-law Pearl Bible, and nieces and nephews Lauren Hall, Ellen Kennary Doyle, Maureen Kennary Watkins, Jean Kennary, James Martin Kennary lll, Mickey Montagne Shield, Megan Montagne Pendy, Peter Martin Montagne, Maryann Montagne O’Leary, Matthew Montagne, and Michael Montagne. Bill also had twenty-two great nieces and nephews and twelve great-great nieces and nephews

The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional healthcare of Dr. Alli Bowling, Nurse Practitioner Laura Eaton, NHC Healthcare Johnson City (Station 4), and Caris Healthcare. The family would also like to acknowledge a special friend, Marjhi Quigley, member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, for her continual support during Bill’s illness.

No formal services will be held. Bill will be interned next to his beloved Diane at Monte Vista Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2211 E. Lakeview Dr., Johnson City, TN 37601.