William James Kennedy Jr.

1933 - 2017

William James Kennedy Jr

We have lost a truly unique individual, a man who lived life his own way without apology.

William James Kennedy passed away peacefully at home on December 28, 2016. Known affectionately as K2 to his family and friends he was the beloved husband of Delli Kennedy and father to ten children.

The fourth child of William and Alice Kennedy, K2 was born in Los Angeles in 1933. He graduated from Loyola University (Los Angeles) in 1956 and following his father's sudden illness took over the family business, Kennedy Nameplate Company, that same year. K2 creatively ran the business for 35 years. An innovative businessman, K2 was well known in his industry for solving business problems his own way, never bound by convention.

Industrialist, Air Force reservist, volunteer, golfer (the first player ever to drive the 327 yard par four first hole at Willowick Golf Club), fisherman, raconteur, beloved husband, and father, William James Kennedy was many things. He had a zeal for life and enjoyed many adventures in travel and work all over the world. Following his retirement from the nameplate company in 1991, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Congo, Poland, Mauritania, and Uganda. He also worked with the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific in Kiribati. It was during his tenure in the Peace Corps that he met and married his second wife, Delli, with whom he shared 19 happy years of marriage.

K2 lived his life enthusiastically, and adventurously. He was never weighed down by others' opinions or expectations - he lived as he wanted to and encouraged others to similarly follow their own hearts. He made it a practice to always have a fishing or golfing trip planned, usually with one or more of his kids. His fishing luck was not always great, but he famously brought good luck to his companions: it was often said that the best fishing spot in Mexico was three feet to the right of K2.

He loved boats, owning many and sinking most. When not fishing, golfing, or otherwise distracted by adventuring, K2 could be found in his reading chair enjoying a cup of coffee and devouring novels at a truly staggering rate.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Delli, his ten children, thirteen grandchildren, and his many friends. We will miss his optimistic, enthusiastic spirit, his zest for new adventure, his love of a good story, his happy smile, and his love of his family.

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