He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on September 7, 1931 and lived here all of his life.
Bill attended Westport High School, Kansas City Junior College, and was graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree in 1954. He started working for Bendix/Allied Signal (Honeywell) that same year as a Mechanical Engineer and retired in 1994 after more than 40 years of service. During that time, he received a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Missouri.
Bill served in the Army Reserves, was a licensed Professional Engineer, and a Certified Manufacturing Engineer. As a free-lance writer and photographer, his articles appeared in The Kansas City Star Magazine, the Private Pilot magazine, and technical journals. With a lifelong interest in aviation, Bill became a licensed Private Pilot and a licensed Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the Experimental Aircraft Association for several years. He flew his own airplane to many of the EAA national fly-ins.
He had a good sense of humor and the philosophy that you can learn something from everyone you meet. Bill was a member of the Village Presbyterian Church and did volunteer work there.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara W. McKay; his father, Dr. N. Paul McKay; his mother, Mary B. McKay; and his brothers Charles P. McKay and Richard P. McKay. He is survived by his life-partner, Judith A. Mathewson; nieces Lisa (Thomas) Angotti and Melinda (Eric) Cutshall; and nephews David (Naida) McKay and Jon (Kristi) McKay.
Visitation will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00am, Saturday, April 2 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
