Billy W. "Bill" Kinsey

1936 - 2021

KINSEY, Billy "Bill" W., 84, of Richmond, Va., passed away peacefully on July 24, 2021. He was born in October 1936 in North Carolina. He is survived by his two children, Billy Kinsey (Teresa) of Richmond and Tammy Kinsey (Jean) of Lambertville, Mich. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 56 years, Elizabeth; his parents and his sister.

Bill was a loving husband and father and a deeply creative spirit. He leaves behind beautiful memories and many great stories. A playful and kind man, Bill enjoyed nature and being outdoors, riding bicycles and walking in the park. He loved ice cream, apples and piping hot coffee. He had a strong sense of curiosity about the world. Bill loved airplanes and flying and held a private pilot's license in the 1970s. Later in life, he enjoyed going up in hot air balloons and flying gliders. He loved sports. It didn't matter what team or sport, he just enjoyed athleticism. Bill also loved music and regularly attended the Richmond Folk Festival.

Above all else, Bill was passionate about art. He received a BFA degree from Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University) and also studied with several nationally known artists. He worked for many years as an artist, graphic designer and art director with major corporations and advertising agencies in Richmond, including Cargill, Wilson and Acree; Reynolds Metals; and Southern States. Bill loved painting, print-making and collage work. His pieces were exhibited in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor exhibitions, New England Fine Arts Institute in Boston, Virginia Watercolor Society exhibitions and numerous Central Virginia art shows, where his work received several awards and honors. Bill was a "signature member" of both the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Baltimore Watercolor Society, a past co-president of the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association, a past co-director of Uptown Gallery and a member of the Virginia Collage Society. He was also a longtime member of Battery Park Christian Church.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held later; for details, please contact the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Battery Park Christian Church or Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad.