William Kerlin

Kerlin, William Leon "Bill" Bill was born on September 13, 1926, in Wellston, Georgia. He is preceded in death by his daughter Rhonda Sue Kerlin-Kozlowicki, his parents, Dovie Eason Kerlin and Harvey James Kerlin, Sr., three sisters, Mary Alice Lavada Kerlin, Ola Marie Kerlin, Eloise Kerlin White and his brothers, Harvey James Kerlin, Jr., and Homer Eason Kerlin. Bill is survived by his wife, Mirriam O. Sullivan Kerlin and daughter, Linda Jane Kerlin Powell, son in law, William Gary Powell and step-grandson, Rainer Powell. Bill is also survived by four brothers, Wiley Cowart Kerlin (Ruby) of Ocala, FL., Wilbur Gene Kerlin of Prattville, AL, Thomas Reginald Kerlin (Margaret) of Tucker, GA, and Charles Edward Kerlin of Prattville, AL. Also Bill is survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Bill graduated from Autauga County High School (now known as Prattville High School) Prattville, Alabama in May of 1943 at age 16. Bill joined the Navy in March of 1944 and served mostly in the West Coast, Southwest Pacific, and the Philippines, as a radioman and was discharged in May of 1946. He entered University of Alabama in September, 1946 and received a BS in the Commerce and Business Administration College in February, 1950. He went to work with Long-Lewis Hardware Company in February, 1950 and advanced from trainee to Director of Purchasing and Assistant General Manager. After 14 years he took a position as Sales Manager for Bestwall Gypsum Company which was later acquired by Georgia Pacific Corporation as a Sales Manager for the Georgia Pacific Distribution Center in Birmingham, AL. In May 1968, he was promoted to Branch Manager of the Birmingham Distribution Center where he maintained this position until his retirement in February of 1992. During Bill's retirement, he toured the battlefields of Europe and went back to the Philippines on two different occasions where he participated in the dedication of a monument to General John Waynewright on Corrigidor Island and did a dedication at the American Military Cemetery in Manila. He participated in the 50th Anniversary of the S Day Landings by General Douglas McArthur on Lingayen Gulf. On one of the trips back to the Philippines, he and his group of the Battling Bastards of Battaan discovered that there weren't any monument or acknowledgement of the 1600 American Prisoners of the War who died at the hands of the Japs at their POW camp, Camp McDonald. Returning back to the states, it was decided that this group would fund a memorial by listing all of those who died in the first 6 months of their captivity. After completion of this wall of honor, it was dedicated the next year. Not only has Bill contributed to this monument, he never refused the request for funds to honor other memorials or museums including those in England, France, and of course, the United States. He participated with the U.S. Navy Reunion Group, Subic Bay Navy 3002 Association, setting up as many reunions in the South as he could. His favorite was held in Pensacola, FL, where on one day on a visit to the U.S.S. Alabama in Mobile, he arranged for his group to lunch aboard this Capital ship. He had made reservations to attend the D Day Museum in New Orleans, but Hurricane Katrina made this impossible. Bill was a loving and devoted husband as well as a loving father to his two daughters. We will miss him terribly. Honorary pallbearers and pallbearers are Gene Kerlin, Charlie Kerlin, Frank Johnson, Tom Kerlin, Chip Kerlin, Glover Kerlin, Jim Kerlin, Gary Powell, Rainer Powell, Johnny Powell, Wayne Kerlin, Bruce Kerlin, Randy Kerlin and Larry Kerlin. A graveside service will be held at 1pm on December 3, 2008 at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, Alabama, with Rev. Marlin Smith officiating. Viewing will be one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in his memory or to you favorite animal shelter. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.