“Uncle Bill” was born on October 5, 1940 to Mary Haller Kennedy and John Robert Kennedy in Bluefield, WV. He was raised in Matoka, WV, and Columbus, OH. Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Beverly (Harseim) and their children, Kristina Babcock (the late John Babcock), Sarasota, FL and William Kennedy II (Meredith), Las Vegas, NV, and two beautiful granddaughters, Jessica and Belle Babcock; Bill’s daughters, Karen Kennedy DeMaria (Donald) from Key West, FL, Bridget Saraceno (James) from Jackson, NJ, Desiree Kennedy from NYC, and Dr. Tracy Kennedy from Ontario, Canada; grandchildren Dora DeMaria, Tyler Kennedy Collins and Cole Saraceno. Bill also leaves behind his Furbabies Angelica and Samson.
Bill served with honor in the United States Air Force for 8 years and was stationed in Germany. Bill was a 3rd degree Mason with the Greenbush-Schodack Union Lodge #87 which he joined in 1978. Bill is a past Master having served in 1989 and past President of the Key Club for 2 terms. Influenced by Elvis in the mid 50’s, music would become the main focus of his career after the Air Force. As the front man for the bands “Wild Bill Kennedy and the Twiliters” and A-C Apple, Bill and his music would later be inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2003. After his music career, Bill focused his talents in the broadcast communications field working for Audio Video Corp. in Albany, NY, Panasonic, Secaucus, NJ and TVI, in Latham, NY . Bill and his wife retired to FL in 2015, where he turned his attention to volunteering for The Cat Depot in Sarasota as an adoption counselor, making sure every resident cat found their “fur-ever” home.
Funeral services will be held at the Manasota Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Bradenton, FL on Monday, September 4th beginning at 8 am. Calling hours are Sunday, September 3rd from 5 – 7 pm. Burial will be in the Sarasota National Cemetery. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in East Greenbush, NY, at a later date to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to The Cat Depot, 2542 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234, http://www.catdepot.org/donate/donate-today.aspxor to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) www2.jdrf.org/goto/billkennedy ,Tampa Bay Chapter, 9600 Koger Blvd #103, St. Petersburg, FL 33702.
Bill leaves this world with his final quote: “My life was saved by rock ‘n’ roll!”
Arrangements under the direction of Manasota Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Bradenton, FL.
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