Willie McKee

Willie McKee passed away on August 3, 2021, in Granbury, Texas.  He was the first of four sons born to Bertie Ann Rutledge McKee and John Aaron McKee on November 15, 1928.  He was born in Baird, Texas and then moved to Clyde, Texas and then to Eula, Texas at a very young age.  Willie loved the outdoors and all it had to offer.  That enjoyment stayed with him throughout his life.  Willie graduated from Eula High School where he ran track, played basketball, and boxed in Abilene’s Golden Gloves.  Willie enrolled at Abilene Christian University.  He married his high school sweetheart.  During his first year in college, they had their first daughter, Kathryn Ann “McKee” Cavert.  Willie then went to work full time at Citizen’s National Bank in Abilene in 1948.  He was there until 1954.  They moved to El Paso that year and he worked for Citizen’s Bank there.  His second daughter, Vicki Lynn “McKee” Haviland was then born.  Willie later applied for work at Reynold’s Electric in Englewood, Colorado.  They had a contract at the Titan Missile Facility at Littleton.  After FBI Clearance, he and his growing family moved there and lived there for seven years.  His son, Mark Aaron McKee was born there.  He eventually bought the Whitewater Store and Trailer Park in Glenwood, New Mexico.  Willie’s marriage ended there in 1970.

Three years later, while visiting friends at the bank in Abilene, he was told that Joy Tracey was still working at the bank and was also divorced.  Willie and Joy McKee married on September 18, 1973.  On July 12, 1974, their daughter Kelli Dee McKee was born in Silver City, New Mexico.  They fished for trout and pulled their travel trailer to Canada and many other beautiful places.  Their final move was to Granbury, Texas in January 1978.  Willie worked at Comanche Peak Power Plant for eight years and later owned and operated Granbury Hearing Aid Center until he retired in 2003.  Willie was preceded in death by both of his parents and his brother John McKee.

Willie is survived by his wife Joy McKee of Granbury, their daughter Kelli McKee and fiancé Todd Shepherd.  Daughters, Kathryn Cavert of Arizona, Vicki Haviland, and husband Bruce of Arizona.  Along with one son, Mark McKee, and his wife Barbara of New Mexico.  Two grandchildren, Tillman Cavert and Heather “Haviland” Weaver. Two brothers, Jack McKee of Marble Falls and Joe McKee of Houston.

A funeral service is not planned at this time.  Memorials may be made to Happy Hills Farm, Habitat for Humanity, or a charity of your choice.