William Lee McKinney Sr.

William Lee McKinney, Sr.

Bill McKinney, Sr., 64, of St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Manchester, passed away suddenly on July 23, 2016.

Bill, affectionately known as "Mr. Fort DeSoto," graduated from Manchester High School, was employed by Louisiana Pacific and C F Freightways in Ohio, and retired due to injury in 1999 from Ft. DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, Florida as the crew chief supervisor, having meticulously cared for the beautiful beaches and recreational facilities for 14 years.

Bill cherished every day spent with his wife, was the proudest father and grandfather in the world, adored his brothers, and treasured his four-legged friends over the years, especially his best buddies, Trixie and Cody Bear, whom were, without doubt, overjoyed to reunite with their daddy in Heaven.

Bill enjoyed cheering for the Rays, never gave up on the Cleveland Browns, and loved to fish the waters of Lake Erie, Portage Lakes, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Bill was actively involved in his community, always keeping a watchful eye on his neighborhood, caring for the neighborhood children as his own, and, like his parents, never hesitated to welcome those in need or without family into his home to care for and love them. Bill will be deeply missed and never forgotten. We must remember in our grief that faith is about trusting God when we have unanswered questions.

John 10

27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30. I and my Father are one.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Robert B. and Lillian "Marie" McKinney, Sr. He leaves behind, his loving wife of 44 years, Sylvia D. (nee Wilkey); son, William L. (Jonell) McKinney, Jr.; daughter, Tiffany J. McKinney; grandchildren, Tyler Ayala-McKinney, Isabella Baez-McKinney, and Jaydyn C. McKinney; brothers, Robert B. (Martha) McKinney Jr., and David P. McKinney, and countless brokenhearted relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Bill's life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Schermesser Funeral Home, 600 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road (SR 619), Akron, Ohio 44319. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made in Bill's name to an animal shelter or rescue of your choice. To leave a special message online for the family, visit our website at www.schermesserfh.com.

SCHERMESSER

(330) 899-9107 www.schermesserfh.com