William McKee

1939 - 2024

William (Bill) McKee

December 26, 1939 - September 20, 2024

William C (Bill) McKee, born in South Dakota on December 26, 1939, passed peacefully in Surprise, Arizona on September 20, 2024. Bill enjoyed a life beautifully lived. Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, he graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1964 and became a lifelong Cornhusker fan. At a young age he developed a passion for aviation and space exploration and following that path, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Air Force where he spent 21 years in the Strategic Air Command, retiring from the armed services as a Lt Col. Bill went on to work on numerous space programs including the space shuttle for the national renaissance office and the Cassini Saturn probe. He augmented his career in aerospace with teaching. Bill taught undergraduate and MBA graduate programs for nearly 20 years retiring as a senior adjunct professor of business and global studies with the University of LaVerne.

He devoted retirement years to spending time with his life-long love and wife, Jan Mckee. He also continued to display his passion for aviation by authoring a book on the history of Santa Maria aviation during WWII and remained active in aviation history researching aircraft crashes/accidents and documenting his findings.

Bill had a close relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ and was proud of, and committed to, his faith and service to the community throughout his life. He was an active member of the church and served as a Deacon and Elder. He could be found with a smile on the golf course regularly. In addition to his love for aviation and golf, he also had a passion for cycling, reading, drawing and writing children's stories.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jan in 2014. He is survived by his daughter, Chele of Baywood, Calif., his son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Wendy of Denver, Colo.; and his two granddaughters, Hannah of Los Angeles, Calif., and Sydney of New York, N.Y.; and his brother, Tom of San Antonio, Texas and his family.

Dad-Thank you for being an amazing human while spreading joy and inspiration during your time on this planet. We miss you madly and we are happy you are at peace and up with mom where the best airplanes fly, and Nebraska always wins!

All are welcome to Bill's Life Celebration. Services will be held on October 25, 2024, at 2 pm at Fellowship Square, Grand Canyon Room, 16477 West Bell Rd, Surprise, Ariz.

Camino Del Sol Funeral Chapel

13738 W. Camino Del Sol

623-584-6299