William Lewis Kinney

On September 10, 1980 Classie (Bradley) Kinney gave birth to a bouncing, baby boy she named after his Dad.

William Lewis Kinney, IV

William Lewis Kinney, III was over the moon because there were so many girls in the house. As he grew his nickname changed a few times, Lil Kinney, Kinney, Rabbit, Walker Red, Junior Bibs, Lil Bro, Eddie Green, DaddyUnc. But if Mama used "William", Oh Oh! trouble was coming.

Lil Kinney was a real story teller. If something got broken, "Mr. Fix it" would try to hide the fix. If he got in trouble, he would tell such an outrageous story that Mama would be laughing too hard to punish him. His personality and storytelling got him out of more than a few situations. He was "Mr. T" for a while, sporting a Mohawk. Same personality also, he thought he could do anything! He was a huge Michael Jackson fan and even wore a glove for a time. Years later, Kinney decided to change to dreadlocks. He spent the last seven years growing them.

William grew up primarily on the West side of Des Moines. He was educated from primary school to graduation in Des Moines (except for a couple of years in Columbia , MO). He attended Windsor and Hanawalt for primary school; Merrell for a year then Hickman High in Columbia, before returning to Des Moines. He played football and graduated from East High School. He was born and raised at Evangelistic Church of God in Christ. As a youngster, he sang with the childrens Choir. His family was a big part of that church and the pastor, the late Elder Bush, would come by to take him to Sunday School. His Spiritual Mother, Evangelist Lucy Fountain founded the church and Evangelist Betty Fountain and Mother Birdie Drake instilled holiness in him from a young age. The current pastor, Supt. Gerald Hill also imparted the word in him.

William was young, rebellious and hard headed for a time. He was back and forth on state sponsored vacations. But it took that to finally put him on the right path. He spent long hours fishing on the boat with his "Pops" absorbing the lessons of life. He also shared a great love of music with his Dad. He was a good singer and thought he could out sing his sisters! He developed a love for "Big Boy Toys".

He had 2 boats, 2 motorcycles, a CamAm, 5 cars and they all were dressed with the rims, TVs and sound systems designed to make you look. He loved riding his motorcycles with his girl, Shy by his side. William never met a stranger and was the life of the party or family gathering.

William soon learned his way around the engines if his toys. He was a great mechanic and spent his last few years being a self employed mechanic.

He loved playing with the kids and having wrestling meets out in the yard. He was Dad, Uncle and the biggest kid of the bunch.

He was a real people person and if you came in contact with him he made an impact on you. He faced some obstacles in life, but with Gods help he overcame them.

William Lewis Kinney, IV departed this life on May 27, 2022. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenny D. Kinney and Kentrelle D. Kinney; great grandparents, Leon Bradley, Governor McVay, Roberta McVay; grandfathers, Abraham Bradley, Sr., William Lewis Kinney Jr.; grandmothers, Lillie B. Bradley and Annebelle Bradley; Aunts Allean Spencer, Birdie Drake, Pearlie Cooper, Betty Fountain, Lucille Williams and Sonja Barnes and his uncle, Marvin Kinney.

Left behind to mourn are his companion, Shyaire Redd; daughter, Kayshawna Kinney; a special young man he claimed as his son, Dante Kinney; his parents, William and Classie Kinney; two sisters, Kenielle and Keniesha Kinney; grandchildren, Zion Fleming (who refers to him as BaKenny, not PaKenny), Zamir Jones, nephews, Kentrell, KeShaun and Quaeveon Kinney; Niece Deyauna Kinney; grandmother, Eleanora Wright; his aunts, Donna (Freeland) "Buddy" Walker, Alissa Walker, Regina Wright, Roma Harris, Tereasa (Ted) Jefferson; uncles, Abraham (Maple) Bradley, Jr., Charles (Brenda) Bradley, James (Sarah) Bradley Leon (Karen) Bradley, David Bradley, Sr., Richard Russell Jr., Michael (Pam) Russell, Marshall Bradley, Arthur (Peg) Bradley and Abraham (Tiffany) Bradley III; a host of cousins, especially Markel "Short Stop" McGiff; his fur babies, Mamas, Baby and Winky; and a host of friends that will miss him dearly.

*This service will be made available via Facebook Live on the Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home's Facebook page (@hendersonsfuneralhome) on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 beginning at 1pm. Please "Like" or "Follow" our page for access.Visitation









Tuesday, June 7, 2022

2:00 - 7:00pm (Central time)









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home

Funeral Service









Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Starts at 1:00pm (Central time)









Corinthian Baptist Church