BILLY JOE McKINNERNEY, 54, of Cross Plains,
TX, died on Oct. 14, 1987, with burial in
Romney Cemetery.
Born in Texas on Aug. 15, 1933 to Jesse R.
& Louella Maynard McKinnerney, he served
in the U.S. Navy. He was a Baptist. A
teacher and coach in area schools including
Ranger for 27 years, he belonged to the
Lions Club in Ranger and Teachers-Coaches
Association.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy Murdoch
McKinnerney (RSHS-1954) of Cross Plains;
his stepfather, C.D. Griffin of May; two
daughters, Lorilei Butler of Abilene and
Toni McKinnerney Klein (RHS-1980) of Dallas;
five brothers, J.R. McKinnerney and Larry
McKinnerney of Odessa, Donald McKinnerney
of Malakoff, Berl McKinnerney of Kilgore
and Floy McKinnerney of DeLeon; two sister,
Geraldine Richter and Nancy Leonard of
Rising Star; and two grandchildren.
WIFE: DOROTHY MARIE MURDOCH McKINNERNEY
was a wonderful wife, mother, nana, sister,
and friend. She left the world suddenly on
Sept. 27, 2021 at age 85.
Dorothy was born Jan. 3, 1936 in Sipe Springs,
TX to Hughie Edward (Red) and Ruby Irene Runkel
Murdoch. She was a graduate of Rising Star High
School in Rising Star, TX. After high school
she attended Secretarial School in Lubbock and
worked in Abilene after completing her certifi-
cation.
Dorothy married Billy Joe McKinnerney, also
from Rising Star, TX in Jan. of 1957. They
had to daughters, Lorilei Marie and Toni
Renee’. They lived in several small towns
where Bill coached, eventually landing in
Ranger, TX in 1977. A few years later they
purchased “The Cabin” at Lake Leon and
adjacent lots where she eventually moved
after Bill’s death in 1987.
Dorothy began her career as an Insurance Sales
Agent in 1964 and continued as an Insurance
Agent throughout the family moves. She began
working for Rossander Insurance Agency in 1977,
and continued through the merge of Kinnaird,
Rossander, and Perry Agency, retiring in 2011
as an Account Executive from KR&P Insurance
Agency in Eastland.
Dorothy loved living at the lake, sitting down
to read & drink a glass of unsweet tea, traveling,
game night with friends, and spending time with
her children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Hosting the McKinnerney family Reunion every year
on the 4th of July at Lake Leon was one of her
favorite things. Dorothy was a member of the
Clover Leaf Square Dance Club, Community Bible
Study, Lake Leon Ladies Bible Study, & Quilting
Missions at Lake Leon. She was a Charter Member
of the Lake Leon Baptist Church where she volun-
teered her services and cherished her fellow
members.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband,
Billy McKinnerney, her parents, Red and Ruby
Murdoch, and her brother, Kenneth Murdoch.
She is survived by her two daughters: Lorilei
Butler and her husband, Ron, of Abilene, TX;
and Toni Briscoe and her husband, Blake, of
Lake Leon, TX. Grandchildren: Trent Klein and
wife, Heather, of Aledo, Trey Butler of Lake
Leon, Britt Briscoe and wife Amanda of Japan,
Jordan Sitzes and husband, Zane, of Abilene,
Chad and Fiancé, Katie, of Abilene, & Sydney
Butler of Telluride, CO. Great-Grandchildren:
Jessie & Alexis Briscoe, Carson and Caroline
Klein, Ellie, Dixon, and Dorothy Catherine
“Dottie”(arriving in February 2022) Sitzes,
and Jett Martin.
Dorothy was a joyful Christian woman and a
beautiful example of how to live life. Her
children & grandchildren considered her not
only Mom/Nana, but also a cherished friend,
looking to her for advice and reason. Her
absence leaves a void in her family and all
who knew her.