The Lincoln Highway Leagues

In Memory of: William McKee (1904-1979)

Bill came to Ashland in 1926 after working four years for the Lewistown, Pa Sentinel in his hometown. He covered sports for the next 20 years as the City-Sports editor for the Ashland Times-Gazette. In 1946 he resigned the T-G and worked for newspapers in San Antonio (the Light); Clovis, New Mexico (the News-Journal); and North Hollywood, Calif. (the Valley Times). He was a Hollywood press agent for Jimmy Stewart and Ann Sheridan. He finished his career in a wholesale confectionery business in Santa Paula, Calif.

Bill had the premier sports page of his era. His almost daily column "The Bull Pen" was widely read and gave him a state and national reputation. He probably wrote around 4000 Bull Pen columns. He was straight forward even to the point of printing the letters of his critics or those "weisenheimers" as he called them. He was a hands-on writer who visited the practices and the other games. He sought the opinion and counsel of the guys in the field.

His coverage was phenomenal for the times. He covered everything in Ashland: college and high school, grade school and church league, even the county games, but the NCO received the best attention of any of the eight league newspapers. He had league standings with scoring leaders, and even all-star teams when the other papers only covered their hometown games. He had news and details on the opponents to the point of reporting that Bucyrus had scouted our basketball team four times before their first meeting. Back in the 20's he had a Monday report on the weekend league results, and then on Thursday or Friday he had the scoop on the next opponent and the other league games. For twenty years no one covered the NCO like Bill McKee covered it. He set the bar. He was the standard. One observer of the era said that he was one of the people who kept the league together for so long.

It has been 25 years since an article was written in the T-G about Bill McKee. Forgotten? not remember? not to those who are over 70 years of age or anyone who researches the old newspapers. For this author, who has been through eight newspaper microfilms, without the legacy that Bill McKee recorded this history would have never been possible. He was quoted as saying, "I am writing for posterity." You did it Bill McKee! With endearing gratitude this researcher picks Bill McKee to be honored and remembered for keeping the NCOL alive past its time. Paul R. Dienstberger.

Dedication Page
Now unto Him, who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time and now and forever. Amen Jude 24-25. This painting of Jesus was created by the English artist, Simon Dewey and is used with permission. Click here to see more of his work.
In Memory of: William McKee (1904-1979) Bill came to Ashland in 1926 after working four years for the Lewistown, Pa Sentinel in his hometown. He covered sports for the next 20 years as the City-Sports editor for the Ashland Times-Gazette. In 1946 he resigned the T-G and worked for newspapers in San Antonio (the Light); Clovis, New Mexico (the News-Journal); and North Hollywood, Calif. (the Valley Times). He was a Hollywood press agent for Jimmy Stewart and Ann Sheridan. He finished his career in a wholesale confectionery business in Santa Paula, Calif. Bill had the premier sports page of his era. His almost daily column "The Bull Pen" was widely read and gave him a state and national reputation. He probably wrote around 4000 Bull Pen columns. He was straight forward even to the point of printing the letters of his critics or those "weisenheimers" as he called them. He was a hands-on writer who visited the practices and the other games. He sought the opinion and counsel of the guys in the field. His coverage was phenomenal for the times. He covered everything in Ashland: college and high school, grade school and church league, even the county games, but the NCO received the best attention of any of the eight league newspapers. He had league standings with scoring leaders, and even all-star teams when the other papers only covered their hometown games. He had news and details on the opponents to the point of reporting that Bucyrus had scouted our basketball team four times before their first meeting. Back in the 20's he had a Monday report on the weekend league results, and then on Thursday or Friday he had the scoop on the next opponent and the other league games. For twenty years no one covered the NCO like Bill McKee covered it. He set the bar. He was the standard. One observer of the era said that he was one of the people who kept the league together for so long. It has been 25 years since an article was written in the T-G about Bill McKee. Forgotten? not remember? not to those who are over 70 years of age or anyone who researches the old newspapers. For this author, who has been through eight newspaper microfilms, without the legacy that Bill McKee recorded this history would have never been possible. He was quoted as saying, "I am writing for posterity." You did it Bill McKee! With endearing gratitude this researcher picks Bill McKee to be honored and remembered for keeping the NCOL alive past its time. Paul R. Dienstberger.