William (Bill) Kinney passed away on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Tempe after a short battle with cancer. A visitation will begin at noon on Friday, Dec. 23, at Owens Livingston Mortuary, 320 N. Ninth St. in Show Low, followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. Graveside services will follow at Show Low Cemetery. Bill was born April 24, 1949, in Midland, Texas, to Ellwood (Bill) and Mary Kinney. The Kinney family moved to Show Low in 1956, where Bill attended Show Low Elementary School and later Snowflake High School. In 1967 Bill enlisted in the Army and served until 1971. During this time, he completed a tour in Vietnam with the Casper Aviation Platoon, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, as a paratrooper. He was awarded two Air Medals for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. He and his crew completed over 50 successful operational flights during which exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected. He was also awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroic and meritorious achievement. Bill was a proud Vietnam veteran and maintained friendships with many of his fellow Vietnam comrades. After his stint in the Army, Bill entered the field of construction and became a highly skilled heavy equipment operator. He earned the respect of those he worked for and with, and many became lifelong friends. Survivors include his son, W. Ryan (Tara) Kinney and grandson Wyatt James; his mother, Mary V. Kinney; his sister, Kathleen (Michael) McGuire, his niece Jessica (Russell) Hall and great-nephews Jayden, Gabriel and Ethan; his brother, Jeffrey Kinney, his niece Chelsey and great-nephew Tahj; his sister, Kristeen (Marlo) Thomas, his nephew Marshall (Michelle) Johnson and his great-nephews Elijah and Uriah; his nephew, Jerrod (Sherry) Amator and nephew Miles (Ashley) McGuire. He was preceded in death by his father, Ellwood (Bill) Kinney; and nephew, G. Jason Amator. Bill lived a blessed life to the fullest, and he touched the lives and hearts of many. He will be dearly missed.
