William L. "Bill" Rooney

ROONEY, WILLIAM "BILL" L.
90, resident of Naples Florida, and Narragansett Rhode Island, and former resident of Warwick Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2017. He was the beloved husband of A. Marion (McCarthy) Rooney for 64 years. He was the son of the late William and Amelia Rooney.
Bill was a News Photographer for 40 years with the Providence Journal-Bulletin and was inducted into the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame in 1989. His work at the Journal included photographing high school and college sporting events, local community activities, human interest stories, local crimes (including the mafia) and, of course, news and political stories.
Bill also photographed many movie stars such as Grace Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Eddie Fisher. Presidents he photographed include Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, and Reagan. He took the last picture of John F. Kennedy and his family as they arrived in Rhode Island for what turned out to be their last trip here before he was assassinated in Dallas, TX. He photographed his daughter, Dianne, kissing President Johnson as she grabbed his ear, a photo that was published in newspapers across the country.
In addition to his work for the Journal, he photographed weddings and opened his own children's portrait studio, Tiny Tots. He was a successful entrepreneur and owned multiple businesses, including EZwash car wash and The Dairy Shoppe on Warwick Ave. in Cranston, RI.
Bill also served in the Army during WWII as a member of the US Army Signal Corps. He was a member of the South County Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He was a life member of the St. Paul's Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Great Island Association. He was a parishioner of St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Narragansett RI and of St. Elizabeth Seton Church of Naples Florida. He was, previously, a parishioner for 35 years of Saint Peter's Church in Warwick RI.
Bill will be most remembered for his love of family and his deep Catholic faith. He touched the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a kind and gracious man who was always willing to help anyone in need.
He is survived by his two children Daniel Rooney of Pawtuxet Village and Dianne Kwoka and her husband, David, of South Glastonbury, CT; two grandchildren Katelyn Kwoka and her wife, Rebecca, of Portsmouth NH and Suzanne Kwoka of New Haven CT. He is predeceased by all of his siblings, Bernice Rooney, Everett Rooney, Gloria Manning, Elsie Jackvony, and his twin brother George Rooney.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday May 15, 2017 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church, 864 Pt. Judith Road Narragansett RI, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Exeter RI. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Mary's Star of the Sea Church. For guest book and condolences, averystortifuneralhome.com.