Kenneth Ray (Kenny) was born in Oildale, California, on April 4, 1947, to John David (JD) and Elva Irene (Maxey) Bickerstaff. He was the third of four children. In 1951 the family moved from Bakersfield to Whittier, California.

Kenny graduated from Sierra High School in 1965. He married Linda Cooley in 1966 and then went into the Air Force. He served in the Air Force from 1967 to 1974 and spent time in the Viet Nam war, where he was an airplane mechanic.

Once Kenny returned stateside he and Linda had two sons, Tyson and Warren. He was stationed in various areas around the United States, and once he left the military, he and his family moved back to California, where Kenny joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, specializing in the K9 drug unit. He was an LA County sheriff's deputy from 1975-2000, when he retired, he and Linda settled in Idaho, then Montana. After retirement he spent time with other police agencies helping to train their K9 officers and handlers.

Kenny also became part of a gospel quartet, where he played the banjo and sang with a beautiful tenor voice.

In 2019 Kenny and Linda moved to Southern Utah to be closer to his two sisters, Margie and Sharon. He passed away on May 22, 2025, due to complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

Kenny was part of an enormous extended family. He had 24 first cousins on the Bickerstaff side, and 16 first cousins on the Maxey side.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his older brother, David (Virginia). He is survived by his wife, Linda; his sons, Tyson (Reika) and Warren (Sara); three grandsons, five great-grandchildren, sisters Margie Black (Jerry), Sharon Kearney (Alan); and many nieces and nephews.

Kenny was deeply loved by his family and he returned that love two-fold.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454

Family and friends are invited to sign Kenneth's online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com