William R. McKie, Lee’s Summit, MO, son of William L. and Marilla Leone (Zahner) McKie, was born July 16, 1934, in Mason City, IA and died at the age of 91 on June 11, 2026.
Bill loved movies, music, books, racing, football, the woods, the lake, boating, pipes, ice cream, a Blue Moon with no orange at Llywelelyns, Svengoolie, his dogs, collecting super hero toys, Disney characters, frogs, horror figures, stamps, and the list goes on…
He was a complicated character with so much beauty in his heart. He viewed life with an artistic eye, a dichotomy with tender feelings and gruff delivery. He described himself as “the bad mannered old grouch of the Ozarks” but was also comedic and would make us all laugh. Ornery and never quite grew up. A story-teller, cartoonist, and a camper, but not a happy-camper. Sensitive, creative, mischievous, and also vocally opinionated, a poor sport, and a bit of a bully. To the world, he was Supergrampa. The perfect partner for his wife, as they balanced each other with his pessimism and her optimism. He said his greatest achievement in life was being the patriarch of his family.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Monte McKie; and son, William “Joe” Joseph McKie. Survivors include: his wife of 68 years, Marcia “Kokie” McKie of Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter, Heidi Craft of Kansas City, MO; daughter Erin and husband, Steve High of Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter, Marci McKie of Kansas City, MO; seven grandchildren and (eight great-grandchildren), Emily and Michael Edwards (Donovan and Madison), Billy and Jessy McKie (Willow and Rae), Nash High, Anna McKie (Lennox), Katrina and Emily High, Devin and Meghan Craft (Norah and Bekah), and Tristan and Vanessa Craft (Kathryn).
The world will never be truly without him, he will be seen in the snark of his children and grandchildren. In that duality we each possess: sometimes bad mannered and sometimes super. He will be seen in the art we create, in our appreciation of nature, and in our family’s collections. We see him in our sensitivities. In the shortness of our tempers. In our love of dogs. In the calm of a boat ride. In the joy of an antique. In bowls of ice cream.
Should you wish to send flowers, in lieu of doing so, please consider donating to Boys Town Nebraska.
I remember my dad Dave going over to McKie’s on Friday nights when they lived in Lincoln, so that he and other guys could race their slot cars and drink beer. The wives and the children would come along, too, with the wives upstairs talking all night, and the children playing inside and outside. My mom would often have to drive us home, as my dad would have had several adult beverages!