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William Kinnamon Obituary

KINNAMON, William E. 91, of Clearwater, died Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Morton Plant Hospital. Born in Lincoln, NE and graduated from Lincoln HS, he was in the Hall of Fame. He was also a graduate of Nebraska University. William was a United States Army veteran and a Major League Baseball Umpire in the American League. He was Methodist and a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church. He is survived by spouse, Grace Kinnamon; sons, Stephen K. Kinnamon and Peter (Mary) L. Kinnamon; step-daughter, Dona (David) Raucher; grandchildren Lindsey R. Kinnamon, Taylor N. Kinnamon, Michael Kinnamon, Theresa Kinnamon, Brian Kinnamon. Reese Funeral Home 727-391-9954

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Published by Tampa Bay Times on Apr. 17, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for William Kinnamon

Sponsored by Reverential Professors George De Marco and Carolyn Ridenour.

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George De Marco

May 25, 2014

Dear Bill,

May you and Grace Rest in Peace for all enduring time. Your spirits shall live on in us both forever.
With Gratitude and Respect Always,

George De Marco and Carolyn Ridenour

April 25, 2011

Grace: We missed trhe service because we had been informed it was to be at 7:00 PM . Enjoyed playing golf with Bill at Bardmoor and always enjoyed his stories and humor. He will be sorely missed and may the glories of the Lord always be with you. Our blessings, Andy and Joan McComas

Karen McGregor

April 25, 2011

Dear Steve & family,
We are so sorry about the loss of your Dad. My family will always remember the time he invited us all to stay and visit at his place. What fun memories and such a sweet, fun person to be around. Signing his baseball wall is another great memory. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
~Karen McGregor & Family and Rembis Family

Deborah Purvis

April 24, 2011

Pat,Sue,Cindi,Pete,Steve,Brenda and all of the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren,

I had the pleasure of knowing Bill for over 20 years. He was a kind, sweet, funny man. Always quick with a joke but never at others expense. Bill & Liz always made me welcome in their hearts and home. What a wonderful Dad and grandfather. We will all meet again as part of God's family in heaven.

Deborah Purvis

Bob & Pat Lacourse

April 24, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Bob loved talking about baseball with Bill and both of us enjoyed his humor.

Gary Darling

April 19, 2011

When I went to umpire school in 1980, Bill was still owner operator of the Bill Kinnamon Umpire School in San Bernadino, CA. It was the beginning of a career in Professional Baseball that I'm very proud of. Bill was a great role model. His knowledge of the rules and mechanics of umpiring were beyond reproach. I was lucky to have Bill get me started in the right direction. We lost contact over the years, but recently reaquainted through Umps Care Charities. Thank you Bill for all you did for the profession of umpiring. Reading the comments on Guest Book, Bill was much more than a teacher of umpires. He was loved by many and respected by more. God Bless!

Kay Bates

April 19, 2011

I've only known Grandpa Bill for 12 yrs, he always had a smile and a kind word. He always stood for what he believed in and never let anyone change his mind, even up til the end he always knew that as long as you had love in your heart you would always have family. No matter if the same blood ran through your veins or not. Grandpa Bill, you were one of a kind and you will always have a special place in our hearts.

Tom Lepperd

April 18, 2011

I was one of Bill's umpire school students in 1975. Attending his umpire school (at the Little League headquarters next to Boca Ciega High School in St. Pete) was one of the fondest memories I have in Baseball. Bill was a great teacher, and I have him to thank for where I am today. All umpires tip their caps in his honor.

Larry Reveal

April 18, 2011

Dear family,

Bill invited me to teach at his umpire school in 1981. It was the beginning of a new career for me...as an umpire evaluator for Minor League Baseball. I will always be in his debt. He was a class "A" individual. May God comfort you at this time.

Larry Reveal

Bob Cramer

April 18, 2011

My wife, Sue, is one of Bill's stepdaughters. My most enjoyable times with Bill -- aside from the many dinners and parties -- was playing golf with Bill and Sue's mother, Liz at Bardmoor and Seminole. Through the many years I have known him, he has kept me laughing more than I keep myself laughing!

Dale Scott

April 18, 2011

I'll never forget the first day of umpire school, December 26, 1980 in San Bernardino, when Bill had a big smile and a warm hello. Thanks for getting me started that day Bill, the first step in what is now my 26th season in the Major Leagues.

The World Umpires Association (WUA)

April 18, 2011

Rest easy Mr. Kinnamon as your life was blessed. You have placed many umpires in the big leagues and were a supberb human being as well. Each umpire that had the good fortune to meet and learn from you is forever grateful. You have made a meaningful and positive contribution to game of baseball through the umpires you trained and the games you umpired.

Ken Snead

April 18, 2011

My wife, Pat is one of Bill's 3 stepdaughters. We always enjoyed the many visits Bill made to Tallahassee, both before and after Liz died. Bill and I spent many hours watching baseball and old westerns. Bill shared many stories of the time he spent as an American League umpire including the fact that he was behind home plate when Roger Maris hit his 61st home run beating Babe Ruth's record in 1961. With each visit Bill came prepared with an abundance of new jokes to tell. Our family will always remember Bill with fondness.
Bill don't let Liz chase you around too much with the broom!!

Melanie Rentz

April 17, 2011

Bill, you were the ONLY grandfather I have ever known. I can remember loving to visit you and Gran. We would drive you nuts for a certs and loved feeding the fish in the pond. The stories of your life and your jokes always kept us interested. I know you are in an amazing place. I love you Bill.

Cindy Collins

April 17, 2011

As I told Bill many, many times during the past 30 years, if I could not have had the father I had, I would have picked him. He was a wonderful step-father for me, step-grandfather for my three children, and step-great-grandfather for my three grandchildren. We will all miss him for the rest of our lives.

Robin and David James

April 17, 2011

Pat,Sue,Cindi,Pete and Steve, We are so sorry for the loss of your Dad.Always hold him in your hearts.

Cody Bates

April 17, 2011

Grandpa, you were unlike any other person I knew. I always tried to imagine doing some of the things you did. You were a great man and lived a great life. When you stand in front of those gates to heaven, I know they will be expecting you. All the angels sing when a great man enters heaven. I was blessed to have known you. I'm going to really miss you grandpa. We will meet again one day.

Karen Bates

April 17, 2011

Grandpa, you were the BEST grandpa anyone could ever have in their lives. ALL of us were blessed to have you in our lives. You inspired all who knew you to be the best they could be in life. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Brenda nelson

April 17, 2011

Bill Kinnamon was an amazing person. He was the best grandfather a kid could ever ask for. He married my grandmother Liz Kinnamon when I was a little kid and they were married for over 20 years. When Bill married my grandmother, he became a father figure to her three daughters and a grandfather to her six grandkids. Although my grandmother passed away, he was still my grandfather and I was still his granddaughter.I am so grateful for the wonderful memories I have of my grandparents. When I was little, Bill would take me out and let me drive the golf cart, and then make linguini and clams for dinner. It was my favorite and he would always make it for me when I spent the night. Bill was a funny guy, always telling jokes. I feel so fortunate to have had him for a grandfather.
Bill, thank you for coming in to my life and being the best grandfather. I love you

Sue and Bob Cramer

April 17, 2011

Bill and my mother were married for 20+ years before her death. He was always, and continued to be until his death, a part of our family. We considered him our dad, our grandfather, our great-grandfather. He considered us daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Love does not recognize marriage certificates, so even after our mother's death, we continued to love him. He was always part of our family. We will miss him but we have 30+years of wonderful memories of him.

Pat Snead

April 17, 2011

To Pete and Steve and your families -
Please know that Bill was a special person to all of us and we will miss him always. He was a large part of our family. We have always considered him grandfather to all of our kids and grandkids.
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sue Cramer

April 17, 2011

Bill was married to my mother for 20 plus years. From that time on we have always considered him family -- our Dad, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. And he always considered us his daughters/grandchildren/great-grandchildren. Love is not defined by marriage alone. No one can change the love that was shared between Bill and our family. Our memories of him and his life, love and laughter will keep us smiling forever. We will all miss him very much. (Bill, say hello to our Mom when you see her.)

Dawn Newhall

April 17, 2011

Bill, you were a great man and an AMAZING grandfather to me...& I am blessed to have had you for a grandfather.

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