William Roger Feeney

March 2, 1934 - March 18, 2022

EL CAJON, CA — After a valiant fight with eyesight, hearing, and other age-related challenges, William (Bill) Feeney died peacefully in hospice care, soon after his 88th birthday.

Bill started his adventurous, inquisitive life early. Only 14 years old, he left his Illinois family to attend a Christian Brothers seminary in Missouri and become a monk. After graduating from high school there and then from St. Mary’s College in Minnesota, he taught for the Brothers a couple years. However, at age 23, he decided the celibate life wasn’t for him. No women, no travel, no fun. No future wife and kids.

In Bill’s next phase of life, he had several interesting jobs involving U.S. travel, young-man sporting activities, and continual learning. In 1970 he earned a PH.D. from the University of California, Irvine (Experimental Psychology).

In 1972 he married Karen Meinecke in London. They returned to California via a round-the-world trip, getting detained in Russia for a while. Together Bill and Karen pursued their careers and brought up their two sons: Bill and Mike. They continued to travel, bringing their young sons along.

In 1974 the family moved to San Diego, where Bill joined the San Diego State University (SDSU) Information Systems faculty. In 1984, Bill accepted an offer to teach at a university in Saudi Arabia. Off the family went, returning to San Diego in 1986. Bill and Karen parted ways some time after that.

In 1996 Bill married Frea Sladek in Hawaii, where they were surrounded by their combined families: 7 children with 6 spouses and 9 grandchildren. Together Bill and Frea pursued their careers, including travel and adventures: cruises to destinations worldwide; an around-the-world air trip to visit family; Middle East and European trips for Frea’s job; and lots of family events.

After retiring as Faculty Emeritus, Bill formed a volunteer group to help maintain the SDSU School of Art’s sculpture shop. He enjoyed designing and building sculptures and making new friends there. And he always looked forward to joining the Sunday morning runners’ group, going 12 miles around San Diego Bay. In his early 80’s, when running was no longer an option, Bill enjoyed daily hour jog/walks on the hills and trails around his home. And when bicycling was not safe, he started riding a recumbent low 3-wheeler around San Diego with a friend weekly.

Bill lived an active, adventurous life, combining traveling the world, running 10 marathons (including Boston), hiking in Nepal, sailing his boat (enjoying a cigar on it occasionally), rock climbing, bicycling, and deep sea diving, with designing and building sculptures. He was the poster boy for “Never Stop Learning,” pursuing many varied areas of interest through books, videos, and specialized equipment. Design. Art. Drumming. Photography. Jewelry making. In his later years, healthy living was his top interest.

AND…HE especially enjoyed on-line Amazon shopping!

All along, Bill encouraged his family to join him on physical and learning experiences they wouldn’t have had without him. A few were: a Feeney family Alaska road trip; hikes across the Grand Canyon; whitewater rafting; grandkid hikes on San Diego County mountains with ice cream after; and lots of information about healthy lifestyles.

Bill Feeney has successfully passed the finish line in his lifelong marathon. He was predeceased by his parents John and Rose Feeney and his brother, James Feeney. He is survived by his wife, Frea Sladek; his sons William (spouse Aiko) and Michael Feeney (spouse Krishna); his grandchildren Sora and Allen Feeney; Jaki (spouse Aaron Greene), Helen, and Augustine Feeney; his greatgrandson, Aemon Feeney; and his sister Kathleen Feeney-kline (spouse Fred Kline).

A celebration of life is being planned.

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