William H. MacKenzie III
William H. MacKenzie III, 76, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2022.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Susan (née Morrissey) and her children and grandchildren who loved him very much: Thomas Patton of Des Moines, IA; Robert (Kristine) Patton of Omaha, NE; Amy (Stephen) Misterek of Minneapolis, MN; sister Elizabeth MacKenzie of Buffalo, NY; grandchildren: Douglas, James, Brooklyn, Charles, and Lawson. He is predeceased by his parents Elizabeth Francisco (Acheson) and William H. MacKenzie Jr. and his stepfather William E. Francisco.
Born in 1946, Bill was raised in Buffalo, NY. He attended The Taft School in Watertown, CT graduating in 1965. He earned his B.A. from Hobart & William Smith in Geneva, NY in 1969 where he majored in History and was a member of Sigma Phi. He earned his M.F.A in Photography from The University of Buffalo’s Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY in 1977. Bill was a lifelong music enthusiast and attended Woodstock. He had an extensive music collection and was a big fan of Bob Dylan. As an avid sportsman Bill particularly loved bone fishing in Small Hope Bay, Bahamas and working the colder waters of Lake Pythonga in Ontario.
In 1995 Bill moved from Scotch Plains, NJ to Omaha, NE. His admiration and passion for the Buffalo Bills quickly transitioned into his love of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and he supported many of their sports teams. He was also an avid supporter of his grandchildren’s many activities and sporting events. Many years were spent in Fremont, NE before finally moving to Elkhorn. In retirement, Bill and Sue volunteered for Donate Life, travelled to Scotland, and surrounded themselves with friends and family. Bill found a lot of love in flyover country.
Special thanks to the staff at Country House, Suncrest Hospice and Jessica Schaben for their caregiving assistance.
Celebration to be announced.
Interment at Park Hill Cemetery, Syracuse, NE (at a later date).
In lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to Donate Life, https://www.donatelife.net/ or Nebraska Humane Society, https://support.nehumanesociety.org
3 Comments
To all of Bill’s Nebraska, let me share my sorrow. I met Bill in 1968. In all our years of friendship, we learned what brothers hope for, enduring friendship. Bill loved to laugh, finding humor in most things. I know he loved his Nebraska family like the Husker he was. In our last chat, we were focusing on getting Big Red back on top. He’ll have a chance to put in a good word at just the right time. Then he’ll chuckle and watch the game. Love you Bill
You are correct Mark! He embraced the Midwest and lived, ate and drank the koolaid of being a husker. He was extremely special to us. His admiration for you did not go unnoticed. Spoke highly of you often. That chuckle will most certainly be missed.
Our deepest sympathies to you Sue and your family over Bill’s death. I remember how happy he made you and your family; this happiness was shown everyday when you came to school. May all of your memories comfort you at this time. Sharon/Gary Carlson
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