William Leo McReavy Sr

William "Bill Sr." L. McReavy
Age 92, of Minneapolis MN, spent Christmas in Heaven after passing away peacefully at home on December 23rd, 2024. Bill was born in Mpls MN April 16, 1932. At birth the doctor pronounced him dead and his aunt Marion, a nurse, took him to the back room and gave him a shot in his heart that gave him life.
Third generation and former Chief Executive Officer of Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services. Preceded in death by parents, Donald R. and Lillian C. McReavy; and sister, Florian. Survived by wife of 70 years, Kathleen "Kay" B.; son, Don (Karen) of CO; daughters, Cyndi McReavy-Seitz of Mpls, and Sandie (Tim) Shaughnessy of NC; son, William W. "Bill Jr." of Mpls.; 11 grandsons; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Arlene Albers, Roxanne Shun, both of Mpls.
Bill graduated from Marshall High School in 1950 and graduated with a B.S. degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota in 1952. A true entrepreneur, he built one of the finest funeral organizations in the country. Starting with one small chapel in southeast Minneapolis, he grew the business to 17 chapels and 4 cemeteries serving the Twin Cities metro area. Bill served as President of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association in 1970. He also served on several boards including Third Northwestern and Central Avenue banks and was a 16-year trustee on the board of North Memorial Medical Center. Bill and Kay were passionate for the MN Golden Gophers. They have been strong philanthropic supporters to the University of Minnesota, especially the men's football, basketball and hockey programs, and the women's basketball and hockey programs. He was a member of Arcana Masonic Lodge, Zuhrah Temple of the Shrine, past President Zuhrah Patrol, Chief Masquer of Zuhrah, and past President of the Northeast Shrine Club, as well as the Northeast Kiwanis Club. Bill and Kay met at the University of Minnesota and married on June 11, 1954. They had a great marriage and enjoyed many years working hard with the family business and enjoying family time on Sanibel Island.
He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family and many friends. Funeral service to be held Wednesday January 8th, at 11am with visitation one hour prior at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave S, Mpls. A live Webcast or recorded service may be viewed at www.Washburn-McReavy.com. There will be two nights of visitation. First will be held Monday January 6th, 3-6pm at the Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel, 2610 19th Ave NE, Mpls; second will be Tuesday January 7th, 3-6pm at the Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 W. 50th Street, Edina. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. If so desired memorials may be directed to the University of Minnesota Foundation, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, The McReavy Family Charitable Foundation, or The Woman's Club of Mpls.