1935
2020
William Larry McKinley, 84, of Upton, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown.
He was born April 5, 1935, in Campbellsville to Alva and Ruth McKinley. He was a 1953 graduate of Sonora High School, his senior year he was senior editor of the yearbook. Larry received his bachelor's degree from Campsbellville University and business degree from Bowling Green Business College. He taught at North Hardin from August 1957 until June 1975 and worked at Hardin County Board of Education March 1, 1980 to March 1, 1999. He and his wife, Kitty, owned and ran Rider's Bestway in Upton and he was a longtime member of Upton Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and was known for his precious, heartfelt prayers. Larry was entrepreneur of Larry's Dance Barn in Leitchfield, Mammoth Opry in Cave City, Bonn Theater in Bonnieville and Upton Pool Hall in Upton. He served in The National Guard and was a member of Upton Masonic Lodge F & AM No. 749 Kosair Temple and Scottish Rite.
He was preceded in death by his father, Alva McKinley; his mother, Ruth Whitney Rider; and a stepfather, Leon Rider and his wife, Mary "Kitty" Wagner Burke McKinley.
Survivors include two daughters, Vivian (Aaron) Johnson of Madisonville and Vera Burke Lively of Munfordville; two sons, Jimmie McKinley of Elizabethtown and Bill (Susan) McKinley of Bonnieville; seven grandchildren, Andy Johnson, Alison Johnson, Jason McKinley, Heather (Chadd) McKinley Barton, Laura Ann (Steven) McKinley Vittitoe, Captain Kyle McKinley of U.S. Army, and Warren Lee Lively; six great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild; a brother, Al (Ruth Ann) Rider of Elizabethtown; a brother-in-law, Doc Burke of Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Burke Knowton of Ohio and Carol Ann (Roger) Burke Greer of Georgia; an aunt, Anna Jean Rider; two caregivers, Rhonda Stasel and Mary Hornback; and many nieces, nephews, cousins extended church family and friends.
The funeral is at 11 a.m. EST Monday, Jan, 20, at Upton Baptist Church in Upton with the Rev. J.D. Shipp officiating. Burial follows in Upton Cemetery.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. EST Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Sunday at Manakee Funeral Home in Upton and continues from 9 a.m. EST until time of service Monday at the church.
The family requests memorial contributions be given to Upton Baptist Church Youth Group, c/o Upton Baptist Church, 511 College St., Upton, Ky. 42784.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Mr. McKinley has crossed my mind many times over the years since 1970-71, my senior year at NHHS in his 1st period Business Math & Machines class. He was a better teacher than most of us deserved.
I’m grateful for the sound advice he offered to us, his students. He cared.
Christine Towson Petzinger
Student
September 22, 2020
Prayers for the McKinley family.. Our hearts n souls are truly heavy with sympathy and sadness for Larry was called home ..We will miss him dearly..
Love and missed
Anna Blythe
Patty Compton
Wendy Matthews
Karman Matthews
Anna Blythe
January 17, 2020
So sorry for your loss. Larry was a great guy. Knew him from my days of growing up in Upton, always helpful and funny
Betty Kerr Seaton
January 17, 2020
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