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William ‘Bill’ McKay
William “Bill” McKay, quiet man with a big heart, passed away peacefully on Dec. 9, 2017 at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 93 years old, and had been battling cancer for the last few years.
One of America’s greatest generation, he was born in Eureka, Nevada on May 12, 1924. He was one of four children who helped his widowed mother by working on ranches throughout Eureka County. Hard work, loyalty and love of family is what he was all about. He was an excellent basketball player, and loved the Phoenix Suns and the University of Arizona Wildcats. Bill was a true New York Yankees fan, and made sure the entire family, both in Arizona and Nevada were fans too.
He enlisted in the Army during World War II and spent three years as an Army Medic, stationed in the Philippines, and New Guinea. He helped many refugees escape the Japanese from New Guinea, and many years later one of the people he helped recognized him and told him they would always remember him for being so brave and kind. After the war Bill returned home to Nevada and started working in the mines.
He married the love of his life, Georgia, who preceded him in death in 2014. They relocated to Mammoth, Arizona where Bill started working for Magma Copper in December of 1948. The family then moved to Oracle, AZ in 1960 where he lived until his passing. He worked at Magma until 1983.
They had four children, Christine “Binki” McNulty, (Jim), of Oracle, Arizona, Bill (Becky) McKay of Gold Canyon and Lakeside, AZ, Gina (Gary) Knight of Newcastle, WY, Donna (Julio) Garcia of Brighton, CO. He had nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, who so loved and adored him.
Services will be held at Oracle Union Church, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 at 10 a.m.
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