William "Bill" Kenney passed away peacefully at the age of 69 on December 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to William F. and Lillian F. (Rogers) Kenney on March 23, 1956, in Chicago, IL. His early years were spent in Elk Grove Village and Wheaton, IL.

Bill graduated high school from Benet Academy in Lisle, IL. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. Bill met the love of his life, Diana Orris, while attending Northern Illinois University. They were married on September 1, 1979 in Long Grove, IL. Bill and Diana had three children: Daniel, David and Laura.

After graduating college, Bill worked as a bank auditor at Bank of Elk Grove and Naperville Bank & Trust. For the majority of his career, he worked in Finance and IT at Zurich American Insurance Company in Schaumburg, IL.

Outside of the office, Bill was a family man, devoted to his wife, children and his community. He loved cheering on his favorite professional sports teams: the Bears, Cubs and Blackhawks. Favorite pastimes throughout the years were playing on a neighborhood softball team and bowling league, as well as golfing. He also enjoyed sitting on the patio with a cold beverage, good food and good friends. Bill coached his son's baseball teams in the American Little League and Babe Ruth League. Beyond coaching, Bill (and Diana) always played an active role in the leagues' administration. Bill served as treasurer and equipment manager for both the leagues and the former CABA (now MCYSA) baseball tournament. Even today, some of Bill and Diana's closest friendships were forged from these Little League years.
Bill and Diana were both advocates for local history. In 2000, they were founding members of the Crystal Lake Historical Society, with Bill serving as treasurer for the past 25 years. Bill also founded the Northern Illinois Historic League, which grew into a large network and database of historic groups from across the country.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son David and brother John. Bill is survived by his wife Diana, son Daniel of Lake in the Hills, IL, daughter Laura (Brian) Burke and granddaughter Charlotte Burke of Jackson, MO. He is also survived by one brother, Michael Kenney, sisters, Jill (John) Keogh, Lynette Mobley and Mary Kay (Barney) Eilers. Other loved ones who mourn his loss include brothers in-law, sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who were close like family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Crystal Lake Historical Society, P.O. Box 1151, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-1151 or to a charity of your choice.

There will be no immediate wake or funeral service. Instead, a Celebration of Life will be planned around his birthday in March. Inurnment will be private in the family plot at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary, IL.