William R. Minney

William R. Minney, age 84 of Newport, passed away at 5:51 p.m. Monday, March 15, 2021 at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Born on June 10, 1936 in Monroe, Bill was the son of the late Russell and Ruth (Maurer) Minney. He attended Monroe Catholic Central High School and married Geneva D. Weiss (Castillo) on July 27, 1957 at St. Mary Catholic Church. Bill later married Joanne (Cvengros) May on August 18, 1979 in Monroe. As a child, Bill was baptized at St. John Catholic Church. He was educated and confirmed at St. Mary Parish where he sang in the church choir since the 4th grade. Bill was also a life member of Monroe Council 1266 Knights of Columbus, National Rifle Association and Fraternal Order of Police. He also served as a Special Deputy for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. Bill worked at the Monroe Stamping Plant of Ford Motor Company, retiring in 1995 after 30 years of employment. Afterward, he took on several part-time jobs including Lakes of the North Golf Course, Ace Hardware, Lake Erie Transit, Allen Chevrolet, and then as a valet driver at Mercy Memorial Hospital. Bill is survived by his wife of 41 years, Joanne Minney; five children: William Minney of Monroe, Steven (Liane) Minney of Monroe, Michael (Dari) Minney of Petersburg, Denise Minney of Monroe, and Mark (Michelle) Minney of LaSalle; six step-children: Mark May of Chicago, Illinois, Laurie (Tim) Stanifer of Reelsville, Indiana, Debbie May of Livonia, Michigan, Tina May of White Lake, Michigan, JoAnn (Josh) Hockman of St. Augustine, Florida, and Terri Ziegler of Monroe; brother, Edward (Patricia) Minney of Tawas City, Michigan; sisters, Bonnie Ish of Monroe and Sandra (Carl) Feaganes of Carleton; sister-in-law, Maria Minney of Monroe; 18 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. In addition to his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by five brothers, Russell, Jr., Thomas, John, Raymond, and James; three sisters, Leatrice Smith, Charlotte Hartman, and Charon Beeler. Family and friends may visit from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Bacarella Funeral Home where Knights of Columbus will offer a Litany/Rosary service at 7 p.m. Bill will lie in state at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. by the church pastor, Rev. Fr. David Burgard, followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or St. Mary Catholic Church.

William R. Minney

June 10, 1936 - March 15, 2021