William P. Mckenna

William “Bill” P. McKenna, 82, of Bolivar, Ohio died Saturday, May 29, 2004 in his home following an extended illness.

He retired in 1991 as Deputy Director for Division 11 of the Ohio Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) where he served from 1959-63 and again in 1988. Bill was the first chief engineer for ODOT in Ohio.

Born October 27, 1921 in Summitville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Louis Edward and Leona Gallagher McKenna and was the oldest of five children.

Bill received the Robert E. Moore award by the Tuscarawas County Democratic Party in 1995. He was a graduate of the Case Institute of Technology. He was a retired Army Air Corp Major where he flew over 50 combat missions as a B-17 Navigator during World War II. He was a member of the Lisbon American Legion Post, 40 et 8, VFW, and the D.A.V. chapter. He was a member of the Ohio and National Societies of Professional Engineers. He was also a member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge, American Assn., of Highway Engineers (ASHE), Life member of the Knights of Columbus, former member of the Dover Rotary Club, former trustee of the Tuscarawas County Library, had served on the policy committee of the Tri County Waste Area, was a registered engineer and surveyor, and was a member of the Belmont Hills Country Club where he was an avid golfer and member of the P.G.A.

Bill is survived by his wife Gerri Salmon McKenna with whom he would have celebrated 22 years of marriage on September 22. He is also survived by six children Jeanne (James) Vaughan of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, William P. McKenna II of New Philadelphia, Shaun (Laura) McKenna of Delaware, Ohio, Karen (Randy) Leishman of Dover, Robert (Sarah) Carrier of Strasburg, and Betty Gortney of New Philadelphia. One brother, Thomas E. McKenna of Lisbon and a sister, Mary (Donald) Kase of Silver Lake, Ohio, 21 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth “Betty” McKenna and a brother, John Lewis McKenna.

A funeral service celebrating Bill�(TM)s life will be held Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 1:30 pm in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home at Dover with Rev. Doug Patton officiating. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 4pm in the Fairview Cemetery in Jewett where military graveside services will be held. Friends will be received on Wednesday from 4-8 pm in the funeral home. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Bill may sign the online register book by visiting the “obituaries” link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 925 S. Main St., Canton, Ohio 44720.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330 343-6132