White County Legacies: The Bill, Mary, & Steve McKinley Family Fund

Family is one of the things that a person can hold dearest to themselves. Families shape our lives, and sometimes, shape communities. The McKinley family has been shaping their community in vastly different ways. From Mary and Bill to their son Steve, this family has helped out individuals in their community for decades. 

Mary McKinley was born February 17, 1936, and William “Bill” McKinley was born May 2, 1935. The two united in marriage on July 21, 1957, and then welcomed son Steven “Steve” McKinley to the world on July 10th, 1966. The three lived on the far east side of Indianapolis for many, many years, where they started their lives together.

For most of their life, Mary and Bill had vastly eclectic careers, but one thing they had in common was a devotion to help others. The two were always doing something for the community and serving others. Whether that was with neighbors or the local schools, the two were always helping in some way, shape, or form.

While Bill was at work, Mary was a stay at home mom so she could be there for Steve in his early years. However, she was very active outside of her home life. Mary was a 50-year 4-H volunteer. In doing so, she was incredibly active in the local Parent Teacher Association, where she served as both a county officer and a state president. Mary was also a member of the Old Bethel United Methodist Church and a charter member of the American Sewing Guild. Mary was heavily associated with the Warren Township Arts & Education Foundation. She began as a volunteer up until the time that Steve had graduated high school, which she then became the Executive Director for around 30 years. As Executive Director, she took the front seat in finding ways to fund programs for youth and took great pride in the accomplishments of the kids she worked so hard for.

Bill received his Bachelor’s of Science from Purdue University’s School of Agriculture. He then utilized his studies during his work at the United States Department of Agriculture. Bill served as the Assistant Director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services for 30 years, always advocating for farmers and helping them receive the support and compensation they deserved. Outside of his professional life, Bill was a United States Army Veteran, a member of the Old Bethel United Methodist Church, and a charter member of Indianapolis Zoological Society. He also raised show pigeons that he would often give to the state fairs. Bill managed many pigeon shows and took great joy in being able to provide this level of enjoyment and entertainment to so many people.

Bill, unfortunately, passed away September 26th, 2004 at the age of 69. Mary continued her journey on her own, still involving herself in many different faucets in the community. She was eventually recognized for her significant devotion to her various communities, being inducted into the Warren Central High School Alumni Hall of Fame and awarded the Warren Township school district Lasting Impact Award. Mary’s dedication to the arts was honored when the Mary McKinley Atrium was named at the Warren Performing Arts Center in 2019.

Mary reunited with Bill on April 27th, 2022, when she passed away at the age of 86. Steve had been taking care of Mary for a while before. The two were very close, both in their relationship and their aspirations in life. Steve always carried on the sentiment of giving back, the same sentiment that was very dear to his mother and father.

Steve has always played his hand in community work; from the days he was in high school to his career now. When he was a child, he was heavily involved with the 4-H program, starting from the early age of 10 up until he graduated high school. During his time in 4-H, Steve was inspired by one of his mentors to pursue agriculture in a more educational setting. After he graduated high school, he attended Purdue University and graduated in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Teacher Education. He continued his studies in agriculture in 1990 when he graduated with his Master’s in Agricultural Economics. He then completed his educational journey in 1999 when he received his Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, with an emphasis on Adult Education. 

Steve's passion for agriculture and education is reflected in his professional life. Steve has worked at Purdue University since 1990 at the College of Agriculture. For 33 years, Steve was a 4-H Extension Specialist. During that time, Steve had many opportunities to meet with young minds and mentor them to witness their leadership grow, similar to how Steve’s old mentors did with him. In 2023, Steve took over as a Staff Development Extension Specialist. Steve is now able to oversee those in his previous position and train them to be the best mentors they can be for kids all over the state.

Back home in Monticello, Steve is heavily involved in the Monticello United Methodist Church. A little over thirty years ago, Steve volunteered to be a Sunday School teacher as the Monticello United Methodist Church needed people to fill in for them. Ever since then, Steve became extremely well established and began growing his relationships with many individuals involved in the church. Steve became a “LIFEGuard” at the 648 Youth Group where he helps lead, facilitate, and mentor middle school and high school students in their walk in their faith. Steve loves his involvement with the Monticello United Methodist Church more than most things as he’s able to provide positive experiences for younger generations outside of a school setting, accompany them on retreats, lead Bible Studies every week, and witness as they grow in their personal lives. Steve’s devotion to his faith has expanded across the community and the Monticello United Methodist Church is so grateful to have him there.

In 2025, Steve established the Mary, Bill, & Steve McKinley Endowment in honor of his family's legacy. And what a legacy that is. Throughout each of their lives, Mary, Bill, and Steve have all left long-lasting memories, experiences, and impressions on hundreds to thousands of individuals. Both of the families’ direct and indirect impacts on White County ensure that their legacy will be cherished for generations. The McKinley Family is a very loving, compassionate, and special one that anyone would’ve been lucky to have interacted with in their lifetime.