Memorial
William Joseph Kinney, 79, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, at Emery Place Assisted Living in Robins, Iowa. A Memorial Visitation will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 10:00am until 11:00 am at the Cedar Memorial Park Stateroom. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 am at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Inurnment will be later at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Born on July 2, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, he was the son of the late Joseph P. and Mary M. Kinney. Bill looked just like the Gerber baby and had the brightest blue eyes which matched those of his mother.
Bill was a lifelong Cedar Rapidian short of his time away at college. Bill graduated from Regis High School in 1965 and went on to Creighton University and later graduated from University of San Diego in 1970. Later in life, Bill earned his master’s degree in public administration from Iowa State University at a time when he had three young children at home and was working full time.
He was a dedicated, career-long public servant, spending nearly 30 years in municipal finance with the City of Cedar Rapids. He served initially as an auditor and later as City Treasurer for his final 17 years. Bill was also proud of his role as Special Projects Coordinator for the historic restoration of the Grant Wood Veterans Memorial stained-glass window at City Hall.
Bill was known for his quick wit, quiet observations, and beautiful penmanship. Bill was also a gifted writer whom friends and family called on for his wordsmithing of their special letters, announcements, and correspondence. Bill’s singular hobby was fishing. He loved planning and taking fishing trips with close friends who were like brothers to him. He was the rare angler who never shared tall tales; instead, he had the photos and fish mounts to prove his impressive catches of crappie, muskies, and northern pike across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and beyond.
He is survived by his wife Merrianne Kinney; sister Anne M. Kinney; children Brian C. Kinney, Molly K. Schug, and Megan E. Kinney; step-children Kristin (Doug) Weih and Jeffrey (Lorie) Schuster; step-grandchildren Anna (Sam) Hiserote and Matthew L. Weih; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John P. Kinney.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy, Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation, or the Iowa DNR. Or, in lieu of a donation, go fishing, because as Bill would say “There’s no bad day on the water.”