KINNEY, Ellwood (Wild Bill)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 06/11/2004 Ellwood "Wild Bill" Kinney died at his home Sunday, June 6, 2004. He was born Nov. 4, 1917 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the third child of Elmer and Emma Kinney. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp March of 1941 and was trained as a radio technician. He served in North Africa and was later recalled for the Korean Conflict. In 1942, he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Vervalin in Midland, Texas, and in 1956, he, his wife, and their young son moved to Show Low where he opened the Dairy Cream. After operating the Dairy Cream for eight years, he bought the A&W Drive-In, which he ran for another eight years. After retiring, he worked for several years at the Sunrise Ski Resort and later at the Yellow Front store in Show Low. He is best remembered for the many years he worked at Maxwell's Home Run in Linden. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Kinney; two sons, Bill Kinney of Mesa and Jeff Kinney of Pinetop; two daughters, Dr. Kathleen McGuire (Michael) of Show Low and Sgt. Kristeen Thomas (Marlo) of Linden; four grandchildren Ryan Kinney of Chandler, Jessica Amator of Show Low, Marshall Johnson of Linden and Chelsey Kinney of Gilbert; three step-grandsons, Miles McGuire, Jason Amator and Jerrod Amator, all of Show Low and one great-grandson, Jayden Sprung of Show Low. A viewing will be held Friday, June 11 from 5-8 p.m. at Owen's Mortuary in Show Low, with grave site services held Saturday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at the Show Low Cemetery. The family has asked that a donation to a favorite charity or church be made in lieu of flowers. Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.