William "Bill" Kerwin Jr.

William F. (Bill) Kerwin, Jr. 96, of Green Bay, passed away peacefully at Unity Hospice in DePere on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. He was born the oldest of four children on September 19, 1917, in Menominee, MI to the late William F. (Frank) and Ann Kerwin.

Bill graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1940 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, he went to work as a field service technician for Briggs & Stratton in Milwaukee. Shortly thereafter, he began an officer training program with the United States Army Air Corps.
During his time in the Air Corps, Bill met the love of his life, Joyce (Lorello) Kerwin, on a blind date in New Haven, CT. Bill and Joyce were married on September 6, 1943 in New Haven. From that day forward, the Lord truly blessed Bill and Joyce with four wonderful children and more than 70 years together.

After a brief honeymoon, Bill and Joyce moved to Oklahoma City, OK where Bill carried out his Air Corps service at Tinker Field. Upon completion of his Air Corps duty, Bill and Joyce moved back to Green Bay where he began working in his father's business, Green Bay Warehouses, Inc., eventually taking over as president and general manager. Bill ran the warehousing operation until his retirement in 1987. In retirement, Bill enjoyed gardening, flying kites, working as a frame-maker at Wildwood Gallery, spending time with his children, grandchildren and most especially being with Joyce.

Bill was a tireless advocate of many volunteer organizations, involving himself deeply in the Westside Kiwanis Club, United Way of Brown County, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Premontre High School, the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay and the University of Notre Dame.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ann Kerwin, brother and sister-in-law John and Dot Kerwin, sister and brother-in-law Mary and Fred Dorband and sister Ann Kerwin.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Joyce, Green Bay; his children Patricia (Bill) Hearden, Green Bay; George (Kasha) Kerwin, DePere; Barbara (Dan) DeBaker, Racine; and Peter (Kathy) Kerwin, Sturgeon Bay; along with twelve grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call Friday, January 17, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay, from 9:30am until 11:00am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral on Friday at 11:00am, with Rev. John Girotti officiating. Entombment will be at Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.

The family would like to recognize and thank Arlene Ambrose for her years of loving care bestowed upon Bill as well as the excellent work of the many caregivers at Bellevue Assisted Living and Unity Hospice who became such a big part of Bill's life over these past five months. Your care and compassion will never be forgotten.