Bill was born in Long Beach, CA on July 10, 1927 into a Navy family-Elmer and Nelle Kiehl. After enlisting in the Navy toward the end of WWII he followed his brother Elmer class of 1947into the Naval Academy class of 1950 and then into service on submarines. Elmer left us on June 30, 2016.Among his many tours he served as a physics instructor at Penn State University. Following his command tour on the USS THREADFIN in Key West, FL he served in Washington, DC, graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, served at USEUCOM in Stuttgart, Germany and in the Strategic Weapons Dept. at the Pentagon developing the Trident Missile program. Following retirement Bill was involved with defense contract work, civilian government, private business, and many community service projects. Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Carol, a retired teacher: son Kevin; daughters Kimberly Aguero and Kristin Pribanic Jim. A son, Kerry Patti predeceased him. He leaves eight grandchildren, a large extended family, and a multitude of friends.Visitation will be at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314 from 2pm to 4pm, Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced.
811 Cameron St., Alexandria VA 22314
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I am sorry for your loss. May your warm memories of William comfort you until the day when you are reunited. John 5:28,29
From the first time I met Bill at Hqs U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany I have always admired his constant easy going demeanor, smiling countenance and constant smile. The ultimate professional with a gentle and personal style when interacting with his subordinates he was well liked by all in our department J3 and throughout the Hqs. There were difficult times during this tour of duty but Bill’s gift of seeing the humor in each situation helped lighten the load and ease the stress. At one point during a stressful situation I had a professional disagreement with our Director a 2 Star General. It was Bill who was at my side and immediately counseled me and kept me from tanking an, until then, excellent 12 year Air Force career. He helped guide me through the shoals and steered me through to a safe harbor until the squall passed. Thanks to him I was able to be calm and maintain my composure until the situation passed. Thanks to Bill’s willingness to risk his own relationship with this irascible tyrant by championing my side of the disagreement, it was resolved in my favor eventually. I am forever grateful for his daily counsel and friendship during this dark period. He and Carol have remained dear friends for more than fifty years and Ellen and I will truly miss his wit and smile. But it is a comfort to know that at the end of my flight we will be together at Arlington for eternity as in days of yore. L. Tazz Tassone, MSGT, USAF Ret. and Ellen.
Condolences to your family. May you receive comfort from the word of God during this time of loss. Acts 24:15 says there will be a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous. Can you imagine the joy of Martha and Mary when Jesus raised Lazarus back to life?—Read John 11:21-24, 38-44. Revelation 21:3,4 promises that one day death, mourning, and outcry will be no more. To find out more regarding the hope for the dead visit JW.org and search “death”.