William J. Kemple
AUGUSTA, GA - William Joseph “Bill” Kemple, 79, beloved husband of Dolores Powers Kemple, entered into rest on July 6, 2016.
Bill was the eldest of six sons born to Alexander Barclay and Marie McLees Kemple. He was a native of New York City, N.Y. He attended Cathedral Prep Seminary and was a graduate of Bedford Academy high school and City College of New York. He served in the Air Force Reserves for eight years.
Bill moved to Augusta with his family in 1976 to work as General Sales Manager for WRDW-TV Channel 12, a position he held until 1985. He became General Manager of WIFR-TV in Rockford, Ill., but returned to Augusta to open Hearing Aid Associates with his wife. They sold the business and retired in 2008.
Bill deeply loved his Catholic faith and was an active church parishioner throughout his lifetime. At St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, he served as a eucharistic minister and lector, and was a member of the parish council, liturgical planning board and building committee. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and the Diocese of Savannah presented him a Gartland Service Award in 2002.
In addition to his loving wife, Bill is survived by three children: Christopher William Kemple, and his wife Leah; Elizabeth Kemple Adams; Kelsey Kemple Schmidt and her husband Frank; and 16 grandchildren: Shawn, Justin, Brendan and Kevin Kemple; Thomas and Elliot Adams; and Frank Patrick, Clare, John Paul, Catherine, Hope, Peter, Andrew, Bridget, Trinity, and Michelle Schmidt; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in remembrance of Bill be made to the St. Teresa of Avila Building Fund.
A funeral mass will be held at 12 Noon on Monday, July 11, in the Chapel at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 4921 Columbia Road, Grovetown, GA., 30813, with the Rev. Michael Ingram celebrant. A Rosary will be held Sunday July 10th at the St Teresa Chapel at 6:30 P.M. and the family will receive friends following from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA. 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com