Kenneth Wayne Kephart

Wayne, as he was known to his family and friends, was born October 18, 1943, in Billings, Montana, to Kenneth Isaac and Mabel Thelma (Davis) Kephart.

His younger years were spent growing up on the Campbell Farming Corp. where his parents worked and then a small farm in Ravalli, Montana. After his family moved to the Hardin, Montana area, Wayne became the first chair trumpet player in the Hardin Junior High and High School Bands. This talent led him to be called upon to play taps for many services at the Custer National Cemetery located at the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Following the loss of his parents, Wayne moved to Paradise Valley, Nevada, to live with his uncle and aunt, Rudolph and Blanche Schwartz. There he graduated from high school in Winnemucca, Nevada, in the spring of 1961. Wayne then moved back to Hardin, Montana, where he worked for the Campbell Farming Corp. and the Holly Sugar Factory.

Wayne enlisted in U.S. Army in 1964. This enlistment led him to a 27-year military career seeing many parts of the world including Korea, the Vietnam conflict, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the Persian Gulf conflict as well as the USA. He was a Bronze Star recipient. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Army, Wayne obtained his Associates of Applied Sciences degree from Central Texas College in 1991 and became a diesel instructor and curriculum writer for the Industrial Technology Dept. of Central Texas College allowing him to travel the state of Texas teaching at various TDOT locations. Wayne then retired from CTC and pursued his full time retirement.

Wayne married Betty (Salveson) on November 20, 1965, at the First Baptist Church in Hardin, Montana. They later had one daughter, Keri. Wayne enjoyed bowling, winning many trophies along the way, hunting, camping, researching his family tree, watching western movies, and rodeos. His number one hobby though was fishing, and he could be found out on the local lakes, in the Gulf of Mexico, Matagorda Bay, or along rivers and streams in Montana and Wyoming fishing with family and friends. He enjoyed having his morning coffee “meetings” with friends and fellow VFW members.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Betty, of Killeen, Texas and daughter, Keri, of Weatherford, Texas as well as his extended family and many, many friends.

Services with Full Military Honors will be held at the Central Texas Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Friday, June 28, 11a.m.