On April 26, 2025, six days after his 92nd birthday, William Andrew "Bill" Kerley, a lifelong resident of Spokane, answered the call of his beloved wife of 68 years, Carol "Blondie," and peacefully slipped into her waiting arms in heaven.

Bill was born on April 20, 1933, the first of seven children of Michael J Kerley and Edith (Roman) Kerley.  Like so many in the Catholic enclave known as the "little Vatican," Bill attended St. Aloysius and Gonzaga Prep where he played baseball and football.  Bill claimed to have scored the first touchdown at the new Albi Stadium.

After graduating high school in 1951, Bill attended Gonzaga University and obtained a teaching degree.  At GU, Bill was a four-year member of the nationally renowned Men's Glee Club which regularly toured the Pacific Northwest and Canada, recorded albums and appeared on national television.   He was also selected for the Glee Club Quartet, a prestigious achievement, which entailed additional touring and recording opportunities, as well as frequent university public relations appearances.  Although the Glee Club disbanded in 1959, Bill and other former members enjoyed camaraderie and the shared love of music through annual reunions which lasted well into the 2000's.

While still in high school, Bill met a beautiful Marycliff student, Carol Knostman, at a dance.  They married on September 5, 1955, and shared 68 wonderful and adventurous years before Carol's passing on June 22, 2023.

Upon Bill's graduation from GU in 1955, he was drafted into the US Army and posted in Schweinfurt, Germany.  Carol joined him and they travelled extensively in Europe during Bill's two-year Army tenure, taking photographs and gathering memories and mementos they shared with family in the years that followed.

After the Army, Bill and Carol returned to Spokane and they started their family with five children coming in quick succession.  They bought a home in the Shadle area and were founding members of St. Charles Catholic Parish.  Around the same time, Bill began a 30-year career with Spokane School District 81, with an English, Latin, and Spanish teaching position at Shaw Junior High.  Bill was promoted to associate principal at Shaw and later transferred to Sacajawea Junior High where he worked until his retirement.

Bill was a devout Catholic who lived his faith.  In addition to supporting his children through St. Charles and Gonzaga Prep, Bill was a member of numerous St. Charles Parish and School committees, as well as the St. Charles Knights of Columbus council.  For many years he was also an active member of the Serra Club, an organization of Catholic lay persons devoted to the promotion of religious vocations.

Bill was a family man to the core.  Whether it was camping trips to Priest Lake or Red Lodge, Montana, attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting and musical events, spending summer weekends at the family's rustic cabin on Pend Oreille Lake, or simply tossing a ball back and forth, Bill's first choice was always time with family.  When the grandkids came, Bill traded in the old family camping tent for a comfortable trailer that he dutifully towed and maintained so Blondie and the grandkids could enjoy hot cocoa on those cold and sometimes wet camping mornings.

Bill's most prominent character trait was selflessness.  With the possible exception of his old Mercedes sedan, which he affectionately dubbed "Sadie",  Bill was indifferent to material things, invariably elevating the welfare and interests of others, especially Blondie, over his own wants and needs.  Bill/ Dad/ Grandpa was always there to lend a hand or encouraging word, day or night, in good times and bad, without question or protest.

After Carol's passing, Bill went country. He moved from the family home to daughter, Maureen, and son-in-law, Randy's ranch where he lived comfortably in his final years. Bill passed the days on the ranch seeing visitors, watching the birth of bison calves, riding around the property in a golf cart, smoking cigars, and admiring flowers in the greenhouse. "Bison Bill" celebrated this past Easter, which was also his birthday on the ranch, surrounded by family.

While Bill's passing has left a void, those who remain take comfort in knowing that Bill and Blondie are together again, perhaps just returned from a long walk, enjoying a glass of vino and relaxing on the patio with their beloved dog, Peanut.

Bill was preceded in death by beloved wife, Carol, his parents, Mike and Edith, and his brothers, Michael Junior and Thomas.  He is survived by his brother, Steve, his sister, Mary, his children, Kathleen Panas, Christopher (Jennifer), Bill (Julianne), Maureen Durheim (Randy), Theresa Groshoff (Eric), 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with two more arriving shortly, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Charles Catholic Church on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11:00AM.  Online memorial page can be found at www.holycrossofspokane,org.