William Donald “Donnie” McKinney, of Greenbrier, Tennessee and formerly of Greenville, Kentucky, passed away unexpectedly on June, 27, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of love, devotion, and kindness that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

Born in Greenville, Kentucky, Donnie was a devoted son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. In his younger years, he proudly served his community as a volunteer firefighter. Throughout his life, however, his greatest calling was caring for his family.

He was preceded in death by his former spouse, Candy Pierce McKinney; his grandparents, Edward and Thelma Johnson McKinney and William Alexander Waites and Minnie Adell Taylor Shaw; and his beloved aunts and uncles, Gayla Hoffman, Carrie Caswell, Phil McKinney, Beverly Cooper (Ray), Mike Wright, Peewee McKinney, Gerald Waites, Nancy Waites, Victoria Waites, and Cecil Waites.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving parents, William D. McKinney, Sr. and Lydia Starr Waites McKinney; his children, Brittany Conway (Logan), William D. “Will” McKinney, and Alexander “Alex” McKinney; and the pride and joy of his life, his grandchildren, Roslyn Gray Klamer, Atticus Pierce Conway, and Kade Xander Klamer.

He is also survived by his sisters, Wendella “Wendy” Gonzales-Stinson (Don), Jennifer Hunter (Bobby), Kimberly Kennedy, and Juanita “Nita” Bedwell; his former spouses, Ocie McKinney and Mary McKinney; his aunts and uncles, Kathy Johnson (Jamey), Patricia Wright, and Luther McKinney (Carolyn); his nieces and nephews, Andrew Lee, Robert Brown, BJ Brown, Ryan Hunter, Kayla Hunter, Sullivan Gonzales-Stinson, Laura Kennedy Price, and Andrew N. Davis; along with a large extended family of cousins and countless friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

Donnie found happiness in life’s simple blessings. He loved beginning and ending each day with his faithful little companion, Ollie, taking walks and enjoying the outdoors together. Some of his most treasured moments were spent walking through Ridgetop Park with his mother on beautiful afternoons and relaxing with his father while watching television. Caring for his parents was not a responsibility to Donnie—it was an expression of his deep love and gratitude.

Nothing brought Donnie greater joy than being “Papaw.” His grandchildren were the center of his world, and their smiles, laughter, and hugs filled his heart with immeasurable happiness. He looked forward to family gatherings, good home-cooked meals, and, of course, a favorite Hostess snack cake. He made it a point to remember birthdays, faithfully calling those he loved to offer warm wishes and end every conversation with the words that became his trademark: “I love you.”

Donnie will be remembered for his gentle spirit, compassionate heart, unwavering loyalty to his family, and quiet acts of kindness. He loved deeply, gave freely of himself, and found fulfillment not in material things but in caring for others. His life reminds us that the greatest measure of a person is not found in what they possess, but in the love they leave behind.

Though our hearts are broken, we take comfort in knowing that Donnie’s legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, family, and the many lives he touched with his gentle nature and selfless love.

He will be forever loved, forever remembered, and deeply missed.