Valley Press

MacKenzie, a Quartz Hill resident, worked as reporter and editor at the Antelope Valley Ledger-Gazette, as reporter and computer advisor for the Daily News of Los Angeles and for more than 20 years with the Antelope Valley Press.

A Palmdale High School graduate of the Class of 1959, MacKenzie worked for the Valley Press from 1964 to 1967, then went into teaching. He returned to newspaper work in Boron, then went to the Ledger-Gazette in Lancaster. At the Ledger-Gazette he advanced to managing editor, then went to work at the Daily News. He returned in 1985 to the Valley Press. The Valley Press hired MacKenzie as city editor, but after a year he became a full-time computer manager, ushering in the Valley Press's first editorial department computer system in 1986. He retired in 2005.

"Bill loved music, and wildflowers. ... He was a real wordsmith," friend and colleague Lynn DuPratt said.

A sign above his desk said it all: "Eschew Obfuscation."

MacKenzie, DuPratt noted, was a stickler for clarity and precision. "He was an excellent grammarian," said DuPratt, who retired last year as Valley Press associate managing editor.

"He was a kind and erudite man," Editor Dennis Anderson said.

In a column, Valley Life Editor Kim Rawley noted MacKenzie held out for high standard in written expression.

"As journalists, we're all serious about grammar, but this guy is the AV's answer to William Safire," Rawley wrote in a 2002 column.

"I have my own set of pet peeves. Actually, everyone should have my set of pet peeves," MacKenzie told her.

He was less annoyed by overused phrases than misuse of apostrophes and people who don't know how to use "bring" and "take" properly. He wanted us to pay attention to "further" and "farther," Rawley noted.

Born May 12, 1941, in Oakland, he died on March 22.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years Mary Lou, son Kevin MacKenzie, daughter-in-law Lisa MacKenzie, and their two children C.J. Street and Alexander MacKenzie, and daughter Wendy MacKenzie. He is also survived by his sisters Katey Barbee, Flora Daley, and Judy Fitzmorris.

A celebration of life will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Eduardo's Italian Restaurant.

Donations may be made in his memory to Grace Resource Center or to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve.