Wendell "Bill" Kaste

Mr. Wendell (Bill) Norman Kaste was called home by his Lord and Savior on Thursday morning, 6 November to be with him and his departed family in paradise. Wendell lived to the grand old age of 92 and died peacefully at his home with his daughter at this side. Thanks to the Lord, his final years were illness and hospital free.

Bill got permission from his family to leave school at 16 before he graduated high school so he could join the Navy and “See the World”. Bill made the most of his time in the Navy and earned his high school GED and became a career sailor. While in the Navy, he married Eula Moss and their family ended up with 3 children, Barbara, Steven and 1 adopted step son, Michael. Over the next 25 years, he earned the lofty grade as an E9 Navy Ordnance Master Chief. Bill was a dedicated, caring, professional sailor who ended up visiting many ports of call that he only dreamed about while he was a kid growing up. He also had many tours of duty during his navy career that put him directly in “harm’s way”, but by the grace of God he always made it back home safe and sound to his loving wife and children. Bill honorably retired from the Navy in 1972 and spent the next 17 years close to his family in Jacksonville working part-time jobs. Bill totally retired from working after his wife passed away in 1989. Since then he has spent many hours helping his family and neighbors by becoming a Mister Fix-Up Handy Man. You could always find him helping someone paint a house, fix a machine or mowing a lawn. He was very generous with his time and money and always reached out when someone needed help. As far as hobbies, Bill loved to read everything, work on his cross-word puzzles and watch baseball and football games on television. Bill was a Jacksonville Jaguar Fan.

Bill was predeceased by the wife, Eula Bell, his son, Steven, his step-son, Michael, his 3 brothers, Victor, Grant and Morris. He leaves behind his daughter, Barbara Petrini, son-in-law, Robert, grandson Cory (Shelley) Petrini, granddaughter, Erin (Ryan) Little, cousins, Irene and Dick Lunden & family, Diane, Debra and Andrew Kaste & family and his sister-in-law, Bonnie Bailey. Bill was a quiet, peaceful man who will be missed by his family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 729 S Edgewood Ave Jax. Fl 32205. A graveside service will be held 11 Nov. 2014, at Edgewood Cemetery 4519 Edgewood Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32219 at 11am, Rev. Tim McDaniel officiating.