William Cheney

William Cheney passed away 22 February 2025. William (Bill) was a beloved son, brother, husband, and father, but most importantly he was a beloved child of God. He was a follower of Christ who took his faith seriously. As a father, he loved his sons very much and was a spiritual leader and caretaker. He was also a very loving, devoted, and faithful husband to his wife of 63 years, Nancy. Bill was born in 1937 in Davenport, Iowa, to his parents Edwin and Mary. He was always an athletic fella, fun loving, and a bit of a joker. As an athlete he ran track in high school and college, and family members who knew him said he was always up for a laugh. Bill enjoyed playing pranks on his cousins working at one of his dad’s businesses, Old Mill Ice Cream, or sticking frogs down the bathing suit of an unsuspecting cousin at the family cabin in Michigan. And he would often be found making funny faces through the kitchen window with the girl next door, who would eventually become a cousin by marriage. After Bill graduated from the military academy and college, he joined the United States Air Force and almost immediately married the woman who would be the love of his life, Nancy, whom he’d met at a Christmas party at that house next door. They moved halfway across country to the wilds of west Texas for flight training and didn’t waste any time starting their family. The oldest was almost a honeymoon baby. For six years, Bill served his country with distinction and honor, attaining the rank of Captain in the Air Force, earning his wings, and piloting B-52 bombers with the Strategic Air Command. Although he really wanted to be in a fighter. During his time in the Air Force, he found himself stationed in numerous locations in Texas and California, one of which was Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso. Flying was in Bill’s blood, and after the Air Force he continued to indulge his love of flying through charters, by instructing others, and by taking his family on trips. While some families would take Sunday afternoon drives and picnics in the country, Bill took his family on Sunday afternoon flights over the country. Or flying his son and friends to Chicago for his son’s birthday. Many years later Bill would take his now family of four back to El Paso, having fallen in love with the desert and border culture, where they lived for 25 years. He worked for many years at the Chevron refinery in El Paso as an engineer and eventually retired from there. Although he had to endure two plus decades of shift work, he never shirked from his first responsibilities of being a husband and father. To him, family came first in everything. Bill was active in the Westside Church of Christ in El Paso and in various churches he attended wherever they lived. He was part of various men’s ministries and volunteered at numerous church events when his schedule permitted. He was also very active in the lives of his sons’ time in high school band. He chaperoned and attended many events and was a very supportive parent booster. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister Kathy and is survived by his wife Nancy, his sons Matthew and David, and by his sister Virginia. In lieu of flowers or cards, we ask that you consider a donation in Bill’s name to your preferred veteran’s charity or local animal rescue. And, please, do not neglect your colon health!

Tributes

William Cheney

February 22, 2025