William C (Bill) McKee 1939-2024

Written by Estero Bay News

October 17, 2024

William C (Bill) McKee, born in South Dakota on December 26, 1939, passed peacefully in Surprise, Arizona on September 20, 2024.  Bill enjoyed a life beautifully lived. Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, he graduated from University of Nebraska in 1964 and became a lifelong Cornhusker fan.  

At a young age he developed a passion for aviation and space exploration and following that path, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Air Force where he spent 21 years in the Strategic Air Command, retiring from the armed services as a Lt Col.  Bill went on to work on numerous space programs including the space shuttle for the national renaissance office and the Cassini Saturn probe. 

He augmented his career in aerospace with teaching: Bill taught undergraduate and MBA business ethics graduate programs for nearly 20 years retiring as a senior adjunct professor of business and global studies with the University of LaVerne.

He devoted retirement years to spending time and traveling with his life-long love and wife, Jan Mckee. He also continued to display his passion for aviation by authoring a book on the history of Santa Maria aviation during WWII and remained active in aviation history researching aircraft crashes/accidents and documenting his findings.

Bill had a deep history and love for the Central Coast and Montana de Oro trails and local beaches He could be found with a smile on the golf course regularly.  In addition to his love for aviation and golf, he also had a passion for cycling, reading, drawing and writing children’s stories.  

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years in Jan in 2014. He is survived by his daughter Chele Mckee and partner Stef Cheneby of Baywood CA, his son and daughter-in-law Bruce and Wendy Mckee of Denver, CO and his two granddaughters, Hannah of Los Angeles, CA and Sydney of New York, NY and his brother Tom of San Antonio, TX and his family.  

Dad- Thank you for being an amazing human while spreading joy and inspiration during your time on this planet. We miss you madly and are happy you are finally in peace and up with mom where the best airplanes fly, skies are sunny, and Nebraska always wins! 

All are welcome to Bill’s Life Celebration. Services will be held on October 25, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Fellowship Square, Grand Canyon Room, 16477 West Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ.

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