William Robert McKenney

William (Bill) Robert McKenney was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Alfred Edwin McKenney and Janet Mann McKenney on June 30, 1930. He was one of three siblings, with an older brother, Alfred, and a younger sister, Janet. He married his beloved wife, Dr. Maria Magdalena Merk, on August 11, 1971, in Mainz- Finthen, Germany. He graduated from U.S. Military Academy West Point, New York, in 1954. Completed the United States Army Aviation Safety Officer Course at University of Southern California, 1966. He earned a Master of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University.

After West Point, he spent four years in the artillery then transferred to the medics. After tours at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Sam, Houston, Texas, and did a tour in the Korean War, he entered helicopter school in 1960. He served as an instructor at the Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker, Alabama, which was followed in 1963 by his first tour in Vietnam; after which, he returned to Fort Benning and then participated in “a little war” in the Dominican Republic; followed by a second tour in Vietnam in 1966-67. His next assignment was as an advisor for aviation crash testing in Phoenix, Arizona for three years. His career then took him to Germany as battalion commander and staff officer in a large Army hospital where he had the good fortune of meeting and marrying Magda. His last assignment in 1973 brought him to the Presidio of San Francisco, followed by retirement from the Army in 1975. He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, serving in the Army as a Medical Evacuation Pilot, and receiving numerous awards throughout his military career, including The Army Commendation Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal. Lieutenant Colonel William R. McKenney served his country proudly.

Following retirement from the military, Bill and Magda returned to Germany to get her started with her dental practice. As a graduate and registered Industrial Engineer, Bill spent several years with the US Army Civil Service. Bill and Magda spent many decades as snowbirds between Tampa and Germany, enjoying the music and nature that both countries offered. Bill had a passion for classical music, particularly the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, and often attended the Florida Orchestra. He also enjoyed folk music at festivals and took many long hikes through different national parks, state parks, and local forests. His ultimate passion was traveling; Bill and Magda traveled extensively throughout the world, including trips to Australia and New Zealand. As soon as they arrived back home from a trip, Bill was already planning the next adventure. He very much cherished time with family and loved hosting and taking family and friends out to lunch or dinner.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Magda; his loving sister Janet Petersen; all his loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; cousins, and many nieces and nephews, with many friends and extended family members. Bill is preceded in death by his adoring parents, Alfred and Janet McKenney and his brother Alfred (Al) E. McKenney.

The date and time for the funeral services and burial will be announced at a later date. Both the service and burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery. Final care and compassionate service are being provided to the family by the professional staff of Blount & Curry Funeral Home - Terrace Oaks Chapel.

Bill’s legacy of love, dedication, and service will forever be cherished by his family and friends. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.