William Cullen Kembery, son of Sadie Glen (Standley) and James Prentiss Kembery, was born November 29, 1931, at their farm in Bridgewater, Adair County, Iowa. The family moved near Arispe, IA in 1940 and later to a farm near Thayer, IA in 1942. William grew up cultivating alfalfa, clover, corn, grains and legumes on his family’s farmland. He was compassionate about those who struggle in life. He had a caring heart for wildlife, and animals in general. William was practical in his decisions and drew clear lines between friendship and business, and work and retirement, giving each equal and deserved dedication. William was loyal to friends, expected to exchange greetings with passersby, had high moral character and expected the same from others.
William graduated from Thayer Consolidated High School (Thayer, IA), then served at the rank of Corporal in the US Army, 1952-1954 during the Korean War, then six years in the Army Reserve. After the service he lived in Anderson and Goshen, Indiana most of his adult life until moving to Spokane Valley, WA at age 85. Prior to retirement, William worked as a truck driver/transporter of manufactured homes, primarily Richardson Home Corporation, Elkhart, IN, and eventually transported as an owner/operator. William received recognition for distinction in trucking and delivery of manufactured homes. He was a businessman and entrepreneur and also sold manufactured homes on a sales lot he owned with a business partner. He owned and operated mobile home communities in Goshen and Veedersburg, IN, until his passing
William never married and did not have children. He is survived by his sister, Mary Lilly Kienholz (Delbert) of Spokane, WA; numerous nieces and nephews and their children, including a step-niece in Creston, IA (Karon Jones); and his guardians who cared for him after he moved to Spokane Valley in December 2016, including his sister, Mary, and nieces Ann Kienholz Jurcevich (Ronald), Rathdrum, ID and Patricia Arlene Kienholz (and her friend Derek Corbin), Spokane, WA.
William was preceded in death by his parents, and eight brothers and sisters: Alda Merle (Harry Holshuh) Cooper (Fred); James Prentiss Kembery, Jr.; Alma Lorraine Scott (Arthur “Ray”); Grace Dolores Sills (Lewis); Leland Dale Kembery; Lyle Hilton Kembery (Lela); Carmen Frances Hicks (Sylvester “Jim”); and Gloria Melissa Meaders (Charles).
Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home is responsible for funeral arrangements at Lincoln Heights Community Church, Spokane, and Pastor Randy Simon will officiate. Burial will be in the Kembery family plot at Hopeville Cemetery in Hopeville (Murray), Iowa in March. Powers Funeral Homes (Creston, IA) will assist in internment. Online condolences may be shared on this site, and at powersfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, please offer memorial donations to Catsnip Etc., a nonprofit dedicated to humanely helping abandoned cats in Elkhart County, Indiana. [Catsnip Etc.; PO Box 1061; Goshen IN 46527; (574) 202-1996, catsnipetc.org.]
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