William “Bill” Kennedy, 78, of Anderson, passed away from his earthly home on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at his home with his family by his side. He was born on April 2, 1946, in Florida but spent his younger years in Tennessee. He was a proud member of the 101st and 82nd Air Borne division of the Army. He would always say he took off on many planes but landed in very few. He met the love of his life, Shirley, while in service. They married shortly after he left the military and after she graduated. After marrying Shirley, he became a permanent resident of Alabama. He attended Calhoun Community College where he graduated with a degree as a machinist. After graduation he worked for TVA until his retirement 22 years ago. Bill and Shirley redid many houses over the years, putting his talents of fixing and redoing things to use.
A private family memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held with a burial in Mitchell Cemetery with Military Honors.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents. Hugh and Sula Kennedy; brother, Tommy Kennedy; sister, Becky Reeves; and his special like-a-son, Lynn Burgess. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Shirley Kennedy; children, Christy (Ray) Taylor; Kayla Kennedy; grandchildren, Brittany (Nestor) Arevalo; Destiny (Caleb) Chrisman, Daniel Taylor, Arieanna (Taylor) Rivers, Skylar (Darby) Shepherd, Jaxson Shepherd; great-grandchildren, Brantley, Ollie and Amaya Arevalo, Aurora Rivers, Graysen Chrisman, Willow Gist and Baby Elsie Shepherd- due in May; sisters, Patricia Hughs, June Fleeman, Vicky Smith; brothers, Jerry Kennedy and Johnny Kennedy.
The Family would like to extend a special ‘thank you’ to Southern Care New Beacon Hospice for their wonderful and care. His nurses, Makayla Gillen and Tammy were just like family.
