William “Bill” Kepler, 89 years, of Alto, Georgia and formerly of Bryan, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia. Bill was born August 20, 1930 to Chester L. and Mildred L. (Nihart) Kepler in Bryan, Ohio. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He married Dona L. Abel on May 13, 1951 in Farmer, Ohio and she passed away on May 14, 2005. He married Ruth Whitfield On February 14, 2009. Proceeding Bill in death were his parents and two sisters, Mary Alice Myers and Helen R. Forbes. Bill was a tool and die maker at Edgerton Forge for 27 years. He attended the Melbern United Methodist Church in Melbern, Ohio. He was also a member of the Ohio State Patrol Auxiliary, Bryan American Legion Post 284 and the Mending Hearts Auxiliary. Bill enjoyed fishing and woodworking. He was known for making wooden toys and Christmas decorations. He was a hard-working man who loved his family and cherished the time spent with them.
Surviving is his wife, Ruth of Alto, Georgia; a brother, Richard L. (Sharon A.) Kepler of Bryan, Ohio; six children, Karen S. (Charles J.) Hill of Bryan, Ohio, Walter L. (Mary R.) Kepler of Bryan, Ohio, Richard M. Kepler of Aurora, Colorado, Linda L. (Steve A.) Warner of Bryan, Ohio, Stephen W. (Debra D.) Kepler of Bryan, Ohio and Margaret A. (Jon) Cooley of Bryan, Ohio; three step children, Janice (Buddy) Cantrell of Alto, Georgia, Rick (Carolyn) Whitfield of Alto, Georgia and Randy (Lori) Whitfield of Buford, Georgia; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren; 13 step great-grandchildren and 10 step great-great grandchildren.
Private graveside services with military honors will be held September 26, 2020 in Brown Cemetery, Bryan Ohio. Because of Covid 19 restrictions, please bring your own seating. Arrangements by Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks those remembering William “Bill” Kepler to make memorial contributions to American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.