William C. (Bill) McKee is survived by his wife Madge McKee, son William Fredrick (Freddy) McKee, sister Nancy Steiner, his step children James Roberts and Kim Roberts, and his grandchildren Scotty Roberts, Mark Roberts, and Juliane Hansen.
Bill was born in St. Louis, MO in 1941. He spent much of his childhood on a farm just outside St. James, Mo. His early education consisted of a one room country school. He would travel there by walking up hill, both ways, barefoot in the snow, or at least so I’m told. The family farm house was so old that one day his dad discovered logs hidden within walls, so I guess you could say he grew up in a log cabin. Bill spent only spent 3 years in high school, yet he is probably the best educated high school dropout in the history of Missouri. He had enough units to graduate his junior year except for a few PE credits. Had he completed his final year he would have been the valedictorian of his class. Instead, he took an entrance exam to Rolla, and was admitted to the best engineering school in Missouri. After college, Bill took a job at Point Mugu where he worked for 20 years. Bill lived in Camarillo Heights for over 40 years. He was the active member and former president of the Los Padres Ski Club. Bill was an excellent skier, and loved slalom courses. He met his wife Madge McGrath Mercer through ski club activates. Madge and Bill were married in 1980, and their son William Fredrick (Freddy) was born a year later. After his retirement from Point Mugu, Bill worked out of his home as a tax preparer. In 2008, Bill and Madge moved to Ojai, Madge’s home town. Bill passed away on Mar. 23, 2014 while recovering from open heart surgery.
Reading was one of Bill’s favorite pastimes. He also, loved following American politics, the St. Louis Cardinals, and playing bridge. Bill played in a bridge club for over 40 years, and later the Help of Ojai Bridge Group. Bill had a strong sense of civic duty; regularly attended Camarillo/Ojai Democratic Club activities, and worked many election days as a volunteer poll worker. Bill was the kindest, most compassionate, honest, and genuine man that you could ever meet. He loved his family above all else, and we loved him just as much. I’m eternally grateful for being the son of such a wonderful human being.
-Freddy McKee
Memorial services will take place at St Joseph's Health and Retirement Center Chapel in Ojai on March 29, 2014 at 1 pm followed by a reception at 168 Fairway Ln. Ojai, CA.