William (Earl) Kendall

William “Earl” Kendall, age 86 of Lexington, Kentucky and formerly of Elwood, passed away early Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at The Breckinridge Care Center following an extended illness.  He was born August 22, 1932 in Cottontown, Tennessee, the son of William Alfred and Flora Bell (Clancy) Kendall.  Earl graduated from Tipton High School in 1951.  He later proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955.  Earl was the owner and founder of Kendall Mold and Engineering Company in Elwood which he operated for 15 years, and he retired in 1993 when he sold the business.  He married Joyce Ann Retherford on December 4, 1955, and they shared over 63 years of marriage together.  Earl was a member of the Elwood Elks Lodge #368 and a former member of the Quincy Masonic Lodge #230 in Elwood.  He was avid flying enthusiast and owned two airplanes over the years which he enjoyed flying at every opportunity.  He enjoyed owning and driving the Corvette he owned for many years; and he also liked fishing.  Earl especially enjoyed working in his yard and took great pride in maintaining his property.  More than anything, he absolutely adored his grandchildren who knew him as “Papaw”.

Earl’s family legacy includes his wife, Joyce Ann Kendall of Lexington, KY; daughter, Teresa Kendall and partner, Allen Hendrickson both of Lexington, KY; son, David Troy Kendall of Clinton; 2 grandchildren, Kendall (husband Adam) Joest and Kolton Helm; and 2 sisters, Evelyn Cherry of Kokomo and JoEdna Bardonner of Arcadia.  Earl was preceded in death by both his parents; 2 brothers, Elmer Kendall and James Kendall; and sister, Esteline Plumblee.

A funeral service celebrating Earl’s life will be conducted at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Bill Johnston of Grace United Methodist Church in Elwood officiating.  Entombment will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum where military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Navy and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Grace United Methodist Church through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.