McKee as assistant coach for the 1988-89 basketball team.
Please remember in your prayers Bill McKee '74, 62, who died Thursday, Aug. 27, after a battle with kidney cancer. McKee earned his bachelor's degree in 1974 and master's degree in 2005 from St. Thomas, and was a former St. Thomas basketball player and captain. St. Thomas men's basketball won four conference titles during that time. He also served as assistant coach for basketball for 10 years during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
"Billy was a great teammate and a great assistant coach," said athletic director Steve Fritz, who played basketball with McKee in 1970-71 and coached with him from 1985-95. "Everything about Billy was so real, what you saw is what you got. He cared deeply about those around him, always willing to help someone in need, deeply committed to his faith and family, had a great sense of humor and he was very competitive. He touched so many in all areas of his short life. We are all saddened in his passing, but know we are better people because of having time being with Bill."
The Star Tribune highlighted that McKee's love of playing basketball persisted even after he graduated from St. Thomas and culminated in "Noon Ball."
For more information, read Tommie Sport's article on McKee or read his obituary online.
