William "Bill" Kerley

KERLEY, WILLIAM - age 90 of Knoxville, passed away Monday, September 26, 2011. He was a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral for over fifty years. He was employed by Southern Railroad, Beaty Chevrolet, and Reeder Chevrolet. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was a lifetime honorary member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, lifetime member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the USA, and Member of the U.S. Golf Association. He volunteered over 22 years to the Fish Program delivering groceries and meals to the local community. He loved his family and made sure they were able to take a vacation every year, even it was just going "down the road" to see relatives. He dearly loved the outdoors and everything about it. From traveling, playing and watching sports, especially golf, to landscaping his yard, to keeping a vegetable garden that kept growing each year, he was in his element and truly enjoyed life when he could be doing something outside. He also enjoyed sharing the bounties of his garden. Each year, he would take a carload full of vegetables to the Love Kitchen, or some other local group that served meals to the less fortunate, as well as sharing with his family and neighbors. He really knew how to appreciate the earth God created. William was preceded in death by his parents, James Hensley and Loutishia Keeble Kerley, and sister, Mildred Payne, and brother, Birl Kerley. He is survived by his loving spouse of 60 years, Mary Clancy Kerley; daughter, Christine Chasteen; daughter and son in law, Vicki and Steve Brown; son, Wm. Michael Kerley; son and daughter in law, Robert and Susie Kerley; grandchildren, Ashley Brown, Shane Brown, Courtney Brown, Patrick Kerley, Christopher Kerley, Caroline Kerley, Kendall Kerley; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Nell Carr and Charlotte Ryall; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m., Friday, at the Cathedral of Sacred Heart on Northshore Drive, with Monsignor Xavier Mankel officiating. Interment to follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers, Dave, Patrick, and Christopher Kerley, Barry Ryall and Andrew Scruggs. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Love Kitchen, P.O. Box 6839, Knoxville, TN 37914. The family will receive friends 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, with a Rosary following at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com.

Tributes

William "Bill" Kerley

September 17, 1921 - September 26, 2011