William L. McSweeney, Jr., 85, of Overland Park, passed on to the next life on June 28, 2016. Bill was born Nov. 9, 1930 in Boston, MA. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Anne McSweeney; his children, Anne (Mark Lester), William (Monica), Siobhan (Don) White, Arthur (Edana), Sean (Patricia); grandchildren, Mary, Ellie White, Roque, Arthur, Maura, Meg, Michael, Brigid, Aidan, Ellie McSweeney, Liam and Ryan; and sisters Patricia Lemaire and Phyllis Lane. His parents William and Ruth, his brother Richard and granddaughter Ana Xiomara preceded Bill in death.

Two strong currents carried Bill through life-an insatiable appetite for learning and a tremendous sense of community. He sought to experience and create both wherever he was, living out his deep faith.

He earned a BS in English from Boston College in 1953, establishing great, lifelong friendships there. He then entered the army, where he studied and taught Russian. While still in the service, Bill met Anne Bulman and in 1956 they were married.

After leaving the army, he briefly taught high school English in Killingly, CT. In 1957, Bill began his 29-year career with Hallmark Cards, Inc. Bill moved his family to Kansas in 1968, when he was promoted to Sales Training Manager. Bill retired from Hallmark in 1986 as the Director of Training & Development and of Marketing Personnel, and took on the role of Publisher of the National Catholic Reporter. He retired from NCR in 1996.

He received the William V. McKenney Award from Boston College in 2000 for being a champion of Jesuit ideals. He held a Master's degree from Southern Methodist University and an Honorary Doctorate from Rockhurst University.

Bill's service to his community was evidenced through his lifelong volunteer work and participation on numerous boards. In the early 1960's he was the president of the Boston College Long Island Club and for more than two decades, worked as the coordinator for the university's Alumni Admissions program in Kansas City. Also for BC, Bill served on committees of the Institute for Religious Education & Pastoral Ministries and of the McMullen Art Museum.

Always active in the Catholic Church and its broader community, Bill was involved in several organizations, locally and nationally. They included the Board of Catholic Social Services of the Kansas City, KS Archdiocese, the board of Catholic Charities of The Diocese of Venice, FL, the board of the Mexican American Cultural Association in San Antonio and the Midwest Board of the Jesuit Volunteer Corp.

As a community leader in Kansas City, he served as Catholic co-chair of the National Conference for Community and Justice, chaired the Board of Advisors of the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas, the board of Amigos de las Americas, and the Board of Counselors of Avila College. He chaired the Mayor's United Nations Day Dinner in Kansas City and in 1995 received its World Citizen of the Year Award.

Bill also served on the Mayors' Prayer Breakfast Committee, the board of the International Relations Council of KC, was a board member of the North American Committee of the International Press Institute and served on the boards of several other community organizations.

Bill enjoyed traveling all his life. For work and pleasure, he traveled around the country and throughout the world. In retirement, Anne and Bill enjoyed fifteen happy years in Sarasota, FL-playing golf and spending time with family and many good friends.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fe y Alegria Schools in Nicaragua (https://feyalegria.us/proyectos/15nic000-general-fund-for-nicaragua/) or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be held at 9:30 am with mass at 10:30 am on Saturday, July 2 at the Church of the Nativity in Leawood, KS. The interment service will be held at a later date in Sarasota, FL.