William "Bill" Kerpash

1940 - 2016

William (Bill) Kerpash Jr., 75 of Troy, passed away at his rural residence in Troy on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
He was born on Oct. 2, 1940 in Mashek (Lincoln County).
He attended local schools and graduated from Buchanan High School in 1958.
William was never married. He became a father figure to many due to the sudden passing of his father at a very early age. He proudly served two years in the U.S. Army. Farming was his life and love and he never fully retired. He worked at Troy Equipment for many years as a mechanic and truck driver. He had a terrific work ethic and was an extremely hard worker. He loved his John Deere tractors, picking berries, gardening, -especially potatoes, traveling and visiting with neighbors and family. His annual watermelon trip to southern Missouri was a necessity. He never met a stranger along the way. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hawk Point. He attended daily Mass when possible. When his health was further declining, his hobbies turned to cracking pecans, watching his cattle from the window and Jeopardy. He had a wish to have a Celebration of Life barbecue with everyone. It was recently held when hospice began at his rural home in Troy.
Surviving are his sister: Rose Mary (Kerpash) Lindhorst (Urban) of Wentzville, five brothers: Robert, Raymond (Myrna), Bernard (Mary Lou), Kenneth (Billie Jean) and Michael Kerpash (fiancé Donna Dains) all of Troy; brother-in-law; Harry J. Wilmes of Wentzville; sister-in-law, Carol Kerpash of Moscow Mills; special friend, Julia (Judy) Hechler of Troy and special neighbor, David Evans of Troy, numerous nieces, nephews also survive.
William was preceded in death by his parents: William J. Kerpash Sr. and Pauline (Mashek) Kerpash; his siblings: Marie (Kerpash) Wilmes, Harry E. Kerpash, and Patrick J. Kerpash and his sister-in-law; Gail Kerpash.
Visitation held Thursday, July 21, 2016 from 2-8 p.m. at McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory 1304 Boone Street Troy.
Funeral Mass held Friday, July 22, 2016 at 10 a.m. St. Mary's Church 458 Main Street Hawk Point. Father John Keenoy officiated.
Memorials- Masses, American Cancer Society, or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory
Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hawk