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William C. “Bill” Kemp

July 27, 1949 - March 11, 2023

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    Missy says

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    Dad I’m going to miss you, thank you for all the years that you were there for Jennifer and I. We love you so much.

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William C. “Bill” Kemp, 73, of Newtown, IN, passed away unexpectantly, on March 11, 2023, after injuries suffered in an accident in Beaumont, TX.

Bill was born in Lafayette, IN on July 27, 1949, to the late Robert M. Kemp and Ruby Catherine (Chastain) Kemp. He was raised in Brookston, IN and a graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1967.

Mr. Kemp served honorably in the Vietnam War achieving the rank of Seaman in the United States Navy. For his service, he earned a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. In 2022, Bill was invited to share a day of honor in our Nation’s capital with fellow veterans on The Honor Flight.

On March 31, 1983, Bill married Sharon Ann Kemp in Lafayette, IN. They spent 36 years together until the untimely passing of Sharon on December 5, 2019. He and Sharon lived in Newtown, IN for 21 years.

Bill’s career spanned several areas including carpentry and law enforcement in Indiana. He then moved to Driggs, ID where he was Chief Deputy as well as a volunteer fire fighter, search and rescue and EMT. Bill then moved back to Indiana where he was a concrete truck driver for Purdy for several years before his retirement.

Bill was a master woodworker and enjoyed remodeling as well as working on several projects for various family members. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling with Sharon in their RV. He will be greatly missed as a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and dear friend. Bill loved spending every day for the last several years with Duke, his service dog.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Samuel M. Kemp and sister, Karen Lolamondiere.

Surviving are three daughters, Melissa Friend (husband Russell) of West Lafayette, IN; Shannon Sylvester (husband Scott) of Indianapolis, IN and Jennifer Stone (husband Michael) of Pocatello, ID. Bill is also survived by two sisters, Patricia K. Prickett (husband Bill) of Newtown, IN and Marcia Olson (husband Art) of Traverse City, MI; one brother, Robert W. Kemp of Brookston, IN; daughter-in-law Anji Kemp of Delphi, IN as well as 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4 th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Tippecanoe Funeral and Cremation Services, 3631 Morehouse Road, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906. A celebration of life memorial service will follow immediately after his gathering beginning at 12 PM, followed by graveside military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s honor to the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org.