Bill Mckinney

Billie Ray "Bill" McKinney, 73, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 8, 2017, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was under the care of Aspen Home Health and Hospice.

Bill was born October 14, 1943, in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, to Avery Willard McKinney and Ruth Ann Sparks McKinney. He grew up in Spruce Pine and and Butte, Montana, and attended schools in Butte. He joined the United States Navy at age seventeen and was one of the few that crossed the equator in the U.S.S. Pine. He was a Petty Officer and Machinist.

On December 3, 1966, he married Gloria Simon McKinney in Idaho Falls. They were later divorced. Bill made his home in Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City, where he worked as a electronic technician for Valley Music in Salt Lake and Yellowstone Specialty in Idaho Falls.

He was a member of the Baptist Church. He was an amazing father, grandfather who supported and attended all his grandchildren’s sports. He was a very caring and compassionate man who loved his family more than anything. He had a very strong opinions. He was spoiled and a Momma’s boy. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, pool, golf, and poker.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Julie McKinney of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Jodi (Erik) Miller of Camas, WA; daughter, Jamie Viera of Portland, OR; son, Doug Cherry of Sheridan, WY; daughter, Michelle Watkins of Idaho Falls, ID; sister, Betty Riddle of Spruce Pine, NC; several amazing grandchildren, Jalisa McKinney Henderson, Channing Tharp, Connor Morgan, Ian Frazir, Kaeanna McKinney, Kailey McKinney, Luke Miller; many great grandchildren who loved him. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ruth Ann Sparks and Avery McKinney, sisters, Peggy McKinney, Rita Anderson, Marilyn Pack, and brothers, Perry, Dubb, J.R., and Harry McKinney

Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2017, at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Stephen Weems of St. John's Lutheran Church officiating. The family will visit with friends from 11:00 a.m. to Noon at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Alzheimers Foundation at alzfdn.org.

Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Navy Honor Guard.

Graveside Services will be held