William R. Kennedy, 1919-2010: Navy veteran became real estate lawyer

11/19/2010

William R. Kennedy, a retired real estate lawyer who dabbled in local politics, died of unknown causes Monday in the Henderson House assisted living facility in South Toledo. He was 91.

Mr. Kennedy was a vice president at Port Lawrence Title and Trust, which he left in 1988.

He then practiced real estate law privately from an office in the Spitzer Building until his retirement several years ago, his son Casey Kennedy said.

Sue Badman, who worked with Mr. Kennedy for many years at Port Lawrence, recalled him as a serious-minded but easygoing colleague.

"He was absolutely fun to work with. At company parties you saw the fun-loving side of him," she said.

Mr. Kennedy made two unsuccessful runs for the office of Lucas County Clerk of Courts.

The first time, in 1966, he ran as a Democrat, and two years later as an independent, according to his daughter, Linda King.

She said her father was a Ping-Pong devotee and played in the Senior Olympics.

Mr. Kennedy was a Navy veteran of World War II. But his service was cut short when he became ill on a ship to England. Doctors treating him discovered he had only one kidney, and he was discharged.

After the war, he received his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Toledo. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1951 and was a member of the Toledo Bar Association.

In 1949, he married Virginia Wilkins, who was a friend of his sister Dorothy. Mrs. Kennedy died in 2002.

Mr. Kennedy was born in Canton, the son of Margaret and James Kennedy.

The family moved to Warren Street in Toledo, and he went to Scott High School, where he was on the wrestling and baseball teams.

Surviving are his daughters, Linda King, Merrily Leonard, and Kristin Huber; sons, Casey and Kevin; sister, Margaret Dorn; brother, Patrick, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Newcomer Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to Henderson House.

Contact Carl Ryan at:

carlryan@theblade.com

or 419-724-6050.