William Preston Karst

1927 - 2021

William Preston Karst
August 21, 1927 - July 23, 2021
Boise, Idaho - William Preston (Bill) Karst, 93, of Boise, died on July 23, 2021, one month before his 94th birthday, at Grace Assisted Living @ Englefield Green. Bill was born in Waukegan, Illinois on August 21, 1927, the son of Dr. Edward W. and Mary L. Karst. After graduating from Waukegan High School, he volunteered for the Army during World War II and was sent to Germany, where he served as Communications Chief with the 1st Armored Division. He was separated from active duty as a Staff Sergeant. Bill attended Marquette University and the University of Illinois. In 1950 he was re-called for the Korean War and went through USAF Flight School and graduated as a pilot. He flew combat missions over Korea as a B-29 pilot. Later, he flew with the Idaho National Guard. In 1952, while stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Bill married Boise native, Judith Louise Ward. In 1954, Bill began his career in the life insurance business with Metropolitan Life in Libertyville, Illinois, moving his family back to Boise in 1957. In 1964, Metropolitan Life sent Bill and his family to Germany for two years. While there he received his C.L.U. designation from the University of Frankfurt. In 1967, Bill opened the first Idaho office for Connecticut General Life Insurance, now known as Cigna. He retired as District Manager in 1982. Bill loved to work on his cars, and fix anything that needed fixing. After his retirement he also took up garden rototilling for several years, which he enjoyed so much. He had his own extensive garden and he enjoyed helping others to prepare their soil for their plants. Survivors include his wife Judith of 69 years; two daughters, Susan (Lee) Stimpson of Portland, Oregon and Janet (Noah) of Boise, Idaho; three grandchildren, Courtney Stimpson, Adam Carter and Brett Carter; and three great grandchildren, Henry, Noah and Lily. Bill was preceded in death by his parents. Our family sincerely thanks the staff at Grace Assisted Living at Englefield Green and AllCare Homehealth & Hospice for their loving care of our dad, especially in his final weeks. Due to dad's wishes there will not be a formal funeral or memorial service. Rest in peace, dad. You earned it!