William John Kesselring
1943 - 2025
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William John Kesselring passed away from complications during a heart procedure, on February 18, 2025, in Kissimmee, FL at the age of 82.
He was born in Fountain Springs, PA in 1943, the only child to the late William Henry Kesselring and Catherine Regina Mock who raised him in Girardville, PA.
Bill attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Girardville and was a proud Boy Scout and Explorer Scout in Troop 33, achieving the highest honor of Eagle Scout in 1957. He also played the piano and organ as a child growing up and into his teens.
While attending Immaculate Heart High School in Fountain Springs, PA, Bill was part of their Orchestra playing the tenor saxophone and was even in a band, The Treble Tones, playing school dances and social clubs.
He graduated from IHHS in 1960, and then La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA in 1964 with a BA degree and where he received the designation of Distinguished Military Graduate in ROTC.
He proudly served in the US Army in Germany as a 1st Lieutenant after college, before entering the private sector as an agent for the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington D.C.
Bill then transitioned to Bell Labs long enough to meet his future bride, Elizabeth Birilli, on St. Patrick’s Day 1970, before beginning his long career with Chemical Bank in NYC later that year.
In 1971, the two newlyweds moved to Elizabeth, NJ where they welcomed their only child, Christine, in 1972. Looking to be closer to family and for a more suburban place to live, the trio then moved to Parsippany, NJ in 1978. Bill remained with Chemical Bank through all its changes and retired from JP Morgan Chase as a Senior Vice President of Global Securities in 2000, taking with him many lifelong friends.
Retirement took him and his wife to Kissimmee, FL, where they moved into the house right behind their daughter, Christine, and son-in-law, who he considered a son, Darrin. They would both bring him his only grandchild, Bella, in 2001.
Not being ready to fully retire, Bill returned to work, this time with the Florida Turnpike, where he remained for 12 years, retiring as a Deputy Director of Operations. Bill also became a cancer survivor during that time in 2011.
In 2014, he retired again and this time for good. He became involved in the Lake Buena Vista and I-Drive Rotary and was a Paul Harris Fellow recipient, one of the highest honors bestowed.
Bill was a true Girardville-ian at heart and was proud of it. The Reading Railroad and coal-mining literally ran through his veins. It’s where his family roots were. He still collected and played with his N Scale model trains up until the day he went to the hospital.
He also loved exploring restaurants, even if some were a little questionable, gardening with Beth and Bella, tech talk with Christine, talking politics, news events and sports with Darrin, listening to music and audio books, afternoon naps, buying and selling trains on eBay, escape movies, a nice burger and a good bowl of ice cream. Constantly staying in touch with friends, old and new, also kept him busy. He was more tech savvy than people half his age. He left us with a treasure trove of genealogy research back to the 1500’s and his meticulous cataloging of old photos. While predeceased by his doggie besties, Coconut and Mr. Chompers, he still had plenty of love and belly massages to give for his kitties, Jade and Mushu, and even back scratches for Puff.
However, his most meaningful time was spent with his only grandchild, Bella. Their brainiac conversations could go on for hours and it was an honor to just sit and listen to them. They were partners in crime and she easily made him feel young at heart. He was very involved in her upbringing and was extraordinarily proud of her. Their relationship and bond with each other will be unforgettable.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved his family. Bill leaves behind Elizabeth, his beloved wife of 54 years, loving daughter, Christine and her wonderful husband, Darrin Whipple, and remarkable granddaughter, Bella, as well as many extended family members and numerous friends from around the world.
Bill was just a plain and simple guy who loved to laugh. His constant love of his family and friends will be forever missed. His generosity, advice, support, wisdom and mentorship he shared will always be cherished by all he touched.
Bill wished to be cremated and to have a private memorial at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of William J. Kesselring to: Rangers Hose Company, PO Box 1, 6 East Ogden St., Girardville, PA 17935
He was born in Fountain Springs, PA in 1943, the only child to the late William Henry Kesselring and Catherine Regina Mock who raised him in Girardville, PA.
Bill attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Girardville and was a proud Boy Scout and Explorer Scout in Troop 33, achieving the highest honor of Eagle Scout in 1957. He also played the piano and organ as a child growing up and into his teens.
While attending Immaculate Heart High School in Fountain Springs, PA, Bill was part of their Orchestra playing the tenor saxophone and was even in a band, The Treble Tones, playing school dances and social clubs.
He graduated from IHHS in 1960, and then La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA in 1964 with a BA degree and where he received the designation of Distinguished Military Graduate in ROTC.
He proudly served in the US Army in Germany as a 1st Lieutenant after college, before entering the private sector as an agent for the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington D.C.
Bill then transitioned to Bell Labs long enough to meet his future bride, Elizabeth Birilli, on St. Patrick’s Day 1970, before beginning his long career with Chemical Bank in NYC later that year.
In 1971, the two newlyweds moved to Elizabeth, NJ where they welcomed their only child, Christine, in 1972. Looking to be closer to family and for a more suburban place to live, the trio then moved to Parsippany, NJ in 1978. Bill remained with Chemical Bank through all its changes and retired from JP Morgan Chase as a Senior Vice President of Global Securities in 2000, taking with him many lifelong friends.
Retirement took him and his wife to Kissimmee, FL, where they moved into the house right behind their daughter, Christine, and son-in-law, who he considered a son, Darrin. They would both bring him his only grandchild, Bella, in 2001.
Not being ready to fully retire, Bill returned to work, this time with the Florida Turnpike, where he remained for 12 years, retiring as a Deputy Director of Operations. Bill also became a cancer survivor during that time in 2011.
In 2014, he retired again and this time for good. He became involved in the Lake Buena Vista and I-Drive Rotary and was a Paul Harris Fellow recipient, one of the highest honors bestowed.
Bill was a true Girardville-ian at heart and was proud of it. The Reading Railroad and coal-mining literally ran through his veins. It’s where his family roots were. He still collected and played with his N Scale model trains up until the day he went to the hospital.
He also loved exploring restaurants, even if some were a little questionable, gardening with Beth and Bella, tech talk with Christine, talking politics, news events and sports with Darrin, listening to music and audio books, afternoon naps, buying and selling trains on eBay, escape movies, a nice burger and a good bowl of ice cream. Constantly staying in touch with friends, old and new, also kept him busy. He was more tech savvy than people half his age. He left us with a treasure trove of genealogy research back to the 1500’s and his meticulous cataloging of old photos. While predeceased by his doggie besties, Coconut and Mr. Chompers, he still had plenty of love and belly massages to give for his kitties, Jade and Mushu, and even back scratches for Puff.
However, his most meaningful time was spent with his only grandchild, Bella. Their brainiac conversations could go on for hours and it was an honor to just sit and listen to them. They were partners in crime and she easily made him feel young at heart. He was very involved in her upbringing and was extraordinarily proud of her. Their relationship and bond with each other will be unforgettable.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved his family. Bill leaves behind Elizabeth, his beloved wife of 54 years, loving daughter, Christine and her wonderful husband, Darrin Whipple, and remarkable granddaughter, Bella, as well as many extended family members and numerous friends from around the world.
Bill was just a plain and simple guy who loved to laugh. His constant love of his family and friends will be forever missed. His generosity, advice, support, wisdom and mentorship he shared will always be cherished by all he touched.
Bill wished to be cremated and to have a private memorial at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of William J. Kesselring to: Rangers Hose Company, PO Box 1, 6 East Ogden St., Girardville, PA 17935
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