Kenneth W. Jay, age 91, of Sterling, IL, died Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Unity Point in Rock Island, IL.
Kenneth was born December 27, 1926, in Neodasha, KS, the son of Oscar and Lillian (Biddle) Jay. He served in the U. S. Navy during WWII and later was employed at Northwestern Steel and Wire in Sterling, IL, for over 30 years. He married Margery Miller on March 19, 1949, in Peoria, IL. She preceded him in death on March 24, 2000. Kenneth was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was a self-taught jack-of-all-trades, working as a welder, builder, woodworker, and many other types of jobs.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda (Alan) Anschutz of Sterling; one son, Dennis (Debbie) Jay of Washington, IL; one sister, Wilma McGinnis of Mesa, AZ; one brother, Ramon (Inez) Jay of Purlear, NC; four grandchildren, Noe Ramirez, Jason Ramirez, Christopher (Andrea) Ramirez, and Eric Petersen; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; one daughter, Sandra Petersen; one granddaughter, Cammarie Reigel; several brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be Friday, April 20, 2018, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls, IL.
Funeral services with military honors will be Friday, April 20, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home, with Pastor Ralph Beidler officiating.
Private burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling, IL.
Online condolences may be sent to www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com.