William McKinney Obituary

William (Bill) McKinney

May 3, 2024

Modesto, California - William "Bill" Jan McKinney, aged 80, passed away peacefully at his Modesto, CA home. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Bill was cherished for his vibrant laughter, playful nature, strong work ethic, and passion for science and negotiation.

Born in York, PA to Marie (Turnbough) and John McKinney, Bill pursued a notable career as a research chemist following his studies at Knox College and Michigan State University. His journey led him to Shell Development Lab in Modesto, where he met the love of his life, Gina, and a great many lifelong friends. The pair shared numerous adventures moving across the country with their family, including to Texas and Colorado. In Colorado, Bill played a key role in transforming the Rocky Mountain Arsenal from a Superfund site into a wildlife refuge.

Upon retiring to Modesto, Bill delighted in tending to his garden and orchard, and playing golf at Del Rio Country Club. His "retirement" years were filled with working with friends at Sierra Analytics, almond farming with family, and serving on agricultural boards.

Bill is survived by his wife Gina; daughters Kristine McKinney (Jamie Wong), Michelle Grossman (Jonathan), and Missy Duffy (Sean); and grandchildren Chloe, Isabelle, Quinn, Lucia, Xavier, Cameron, and Connor, who adored their "Papa."

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Children's Crisis Center of Stanislaus County. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Bill's enduring legacy of love, curiosity, and humor will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Modesto Bee from May 8 to May 9, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for William McKinney

10 Entries

Lou Sartori

February 14, 2025

Hi Gina and family. You probably don´t remember me but Bill was one of my customer´s when I worked for Waters in CA. Back in the late 70´s. Billy invited me to a barbecue at your home in Modesto when he was with Shell. I was thinking about him and tried Google search. So sorry for your loss and my belated thoughts and prayers for you and your family. I was thankful for his business at Shell but more importantly his friendship.
Regards
[email protected]

Al Notary

July 30, 2024

I served on a team of professionals engaged in a major environmental site in Denver, Colorado. Bill was my "client" and headed up the contingent from Shell. He quickly became a friend and a mentor, and showed me kindness when I needed it as I went through some painful personal issues.

I am so sad to hear of this loss for Gina and the family.

Michelle Grossman

July 4, 2024

We will celebrate Bill's life on August 18, 2024, at 11 am at Del Rio Country Club in Modesto, CA. All who want to celebrate him are welcome to join us.

Al and Becky Wong & family

Planted Trees

Robert Slott

May 14, 2024

I knew Bill´s accomplishments at Modesto in the late 1970´s and in Shell Head Office in the mid 1980´s.
Bill had the unusual ability to design, develop and implement solutions to important technical problems. His friendly, but persistent style combined with thorough preparation made him an outstanding negotiator. I will always appreciate having the opportunity to have worked with Bill.

Mark Wolters

May 13, 2024

I'm very saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He and I worked very closely for the first couple of years after I made the move to the Houston office. I've thought of him often and had hoped to connect at one of the Shell reunions, but I understand he was unable to attend. My sincere condolences to his family.

Arthur Henry

May 13, 2024

Lot of good memories of Bill from my BSRC days in Modesto (Salida): 1967-1974, and I remember his meeting, then marrying Gina. :)

Bill and I were in occasional touch over the years-- sadly too often about passing-away colleagues. Most recently in 2021, Bill helped my wife, Suzy, round up some of our old BSRC colleagues for the surprise world- and country-wide ZOOM call she had arranged for my 80th Birthday! I was most grateful to Bill for his helping her on that!

May God grant Bill rest and may the Perpetual Light shine upon Him. We will have a Mass offered (soonest date available) in our local parish, the Portland Cathedral, for the repose of Bill's soul.

Francesca Russo & family

May 8, 2024

Our deepest condolences sent. We only met Bill twice but I could tell right away that he was a wonderful person! I will remember his smile & caring character. He seemed like a sweet family man a perfect choice for sweet Gina. It made me smile to read that they met at Shell oil. I also was interested in reading that Bill had a role in creating Rocky Mnt. Wildlife Refuge. Bill had a well- lived life; long & full of great memories. Still, he is gone too soon & will be missed! I wish we could have gotten to know him better & visited Calif. His Spirit lives on & I believe Bill is in the places he loved like the Orchard! He will be with you when you think of him & when you mention his name. Be the things you loved most about Bill. When a loved one become a memory that memory becomes a treasure! Gone but not forgotten! X O

Francesca Russo& family

May 8, 2024

Our deepest sympathies sent your way. Although we only met Bill twice we could tell right away what a wonderful person he was! We will always remember his smile & how nice he was! A sweet, beautiful soul and caring family man. I liked how he met Gina @ Shell Oil co.! I also never knew about his role in creating Rocky Mnt.Wildlife Refuge- Very interesting! He had a full, long, well-lived life but gone too soon still! Bill will be missed and I wish we could have gotten to know him more. His spirit lives on & can be felt especially in his favorite places like the Almond Orchard or with family & friends. I believe he will be with you when you think of him & say his name! Bill gone but not forgotten. Be the things you loved most about Bill. When a loved one becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure! X O

Rhonda Crosby

May 7, 2024

It was so fortunate our dad met Bill through working for Shell! Dad came back to the UK full of stories of you all and the great kindness you showed him. He was extremely fond of Bill, Gina & the girls. Hayley and I were thrilled and lucky to spend two incredible summers with you, where you treated us as family and shared your home and family with us. We had so many belly laughs and often reminisce of our time. We will never forget bikini-gate on Padre Island, and tubing down the Guadeloupe River, which after you shared with us the stories of water snakes falling into the rubber rings, and making me sit with you on the front of the huge rollercoaster in Astro World! Think you heard some very unlady like language!!!! Happy days! You will always be laughing in our memories, or rolling eyes in disbelief in how long it takes to curl bangs! Much love Rhonda xx

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