WILL McKEE, who was one of Ireland’s most
high-powered businessmen, has died in hospital after a short illness,
surrounded by his family.
The start of Mr McKee’s working life was in contrast to his major
contribution to business, given that he eventually became involved in
international companies like Beleek Potteries, Moy Park, Ergas,
Leckpatrick, Shell, Mivan and Paul Costelloe. And he wrote a
highly-acclaimed book on business acumen - ‘STAR - Leadership Behaviours
for Stellar SME Growth’. And he was chairman of Linkubator, a business
development and consultation company.
He was educated at Portadown College, and left, not having been a great
fan of the academic life, but particularly keen on sport, especially
rugby. He retained his interest in the game, as a great fan of the
Ulster and Irish teams. His first job was as a quarry worker, not far
from his original family home in Moy. But he soon found his niche in
business - initially as a salesman in the textiles world - and travelled
the world, scanning the American, European and Asian markets.
Despite his global activities, he loved nothing more than going with his
family to their holiday home in Dungloe, West Donegal. In his funeral
tribute to his father on Tuesday at Mullavilly Parish Church, son Rick
said that Will and wife Mary “stumbled upon a thatched shack on the side
of a hill in the middle of nowhere - no plumbing, no water, no heat, but
a turf fire and great fun.”
It became a family focus over the years, which Will, Mary and the
generations that followed enjoyed to the full - their children Shane,
Rick, John and Erin, daughters-in-law Joanne, Diane and Jane, son-in-law
Niall, and grandchildren Lauren, Tom, Conor, Lewis, Daniel, Olivia, Ella
and Ollie. He is also survived by his brother Philip.
Mr McKee lived for the past 10 years at Ballymore Road, Tandragee, near
the original home of wife Mary (nee Mathers). They were married in 1968
and initially lived in Benburb, then Dungannon and Dunadry at various
times, reflecting Will’s eclectic business life.
Mr McKee’s attitude towards business was not orientated towards money,
but for the thrill of the chase. Rick recalled that “he was involved in
some cracking projects and some howlers, but loved to be in the thick of
it, making a business work”. Perhaps the most telling part of the
tribute was that Will McKee cringed to see how business was presented on
the TV programme ‘The Apprentice’ where the dog-eat-dog attitude simply
wasn’t the way he viewed life.
He was direct in all his dealings, and had a deep moral code that
treasured people beyond all else - he was an encourager and a supporter
of his colleagues, and had a great rapport with the small business
person.
Through his training and development programmes, he saw many of his
young students go on to great things in business, and that pleased him
most of all. And, despite all his expertise, he didn’t under-estimate
the role that pure luck played in the business world.
He also shared his ideas through technology with his own website and
blogs, not only giving tips on business but commentating on life and
everything from climate change to business, politics to personal
attitude - his energy and expertise can still be followed on his website
- ‘willmckee.ie’.
His family meant most of all to him, and he was especially proud of his
wife Mary’s contribution to the Gospel Music world - she made several
records under the title of ‘Mary McKee and Genesis’. She still sings on
the circuit, mainly for charity.
The funeral at Mullavilly Parish Church saw the building and the parish
hall crowded with mourners, around 800. The Rector, the Rev Sam Black,
conducted the service and burial was in the adjoining churchyard.
The PC Alumni site will be receiving a limited supply of the following book by Will McKee. Anyone wishing a copy should email the webmaster for details of where it may be collected...........
STAR: Leadership Behaviours for Stellar SME Growth [Hardcover]
ONLINE LINKS FEATURING WILL MCKEE >
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0SFd6_eRk4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
