Mr. Bill Kerst, Sr.
Mr. William Lee (Bill) Kerst, Sr., resident of Texarkana, Arkansas, and former resident of Horatio, departed this life on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at the age of eighty-three years, two months, and nine days.

He was born June 30, 1939, in Danville, Illinois, to Donald Earl Kerst and Sara Pauline Flemming Kerst. He joined the Unites States Navy in 1959 and served until 1963. He was proud to say he was one of the few Navy Sailors without any tattoos. He worked in the oil fields until 1975, when he moved to Arkansas to work for the Corp of Engineers. He would later go to work for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department where he would retire after twenty plus years of service. Bill married Sherri Lynn McClinton, on February 14, 1997, in Horatio. He was a member of the Williamson Community Church and was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Sweet Home Masonic Lodge in De Queen. He enjoyed automobiles, woodworking, CB Radios, sharing his Navy stories, and enlightening others of the "Bill and Smitty Adventures". Most of all, Bill cherished the time spent with Sherri, his children, and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Richard Robinson; a brother-in-law, Ronnie Dameron; and his life-long best friend, Charles "Smitty" Smith.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Sherri Kerst of Texarkana; his children, Don (Theresa) Kerst of Lubbock, Texas, Bill (Leslie) Kerst, Jr. of Hot Springs, Kathy (Paul) Stewart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Anna (Mark) Ahrens of Texarkana, and Jim Kerst of Lockesburg; fourteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two more coming in December; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Donna Kay Dameron of Marian, Illinois; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.

Funeral Services for Mr. Bill Kerst, Sr. will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the Williamson Community Church in Horatio with Bro. Jimmy Roden officiating. Interment will follow at Pauley Cemetery in Little River County. The family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M., until service time, Saturday, at the church. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen. You may leave a condolence online at www.chandlerfuneral.com.