Deacon William Leon Kemper "Butch", "Willie"

Obituary For Deacon William Leon Kemper "Butch", "Willie"

VIEWING: Friday, September 20, 2024 Time: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

SERVICE: Saturday, September 21, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM, Sharon Baptist Church, 27250 US-58, South Hill, VA 23970/ Rev. Mark Young, Officiating/ Rev. Dennis King, Presiding

INTERMENT: Cremation to follow

DEACON WILLIAM LEON KEMPER, affectionately called “Butch” and “Willie,” son of the late Samuel William and the late Verdell Washington Kemper, was born June 26, 1945 in Washington, DC and departed this life September 12, 2024 at his residence, Bracey, VA. He was the eldest of nine children. He was also preceded in death by his siblings- Elwood, Brenda, Harrison, Steve and Lavern and two grandchildren- Rashad and Jearney Kemper.

He went to public school in Washington, DC and then to Armstrong Vocational School for a barber and H.R. Block for tax preparer.

In 1965 William married Sylvia Young and from this union they had two sons- William Young Kemper, “Butchie,” and Walter Young Kemper, “Bobby.” He also helped raise his granddaughter- Kadeshia Kemper.

William was baptized at Galilee Baptist Church, Suitland MD, in 1996 under the pastorship of Dr. Eugene Weather. He sang in the choir, where they were called “The Hogs” and he was an usher.

William worked 30 years at the Architect of the Capital (serving Congress) until he retired in 1996. He always worked two jobs. He enjoyed working; he worked part-time jobs for 40 years as a supervisor and project manager. After retiring he later went to work for the Transit System (Metro) while he waited for Sylvia to retire. After they both retired in 2010, they moved to Bracey, VA. William was smart; he had built his own home in Bracey, VA in 2004 before relocating. He enjoyed going back and forth to DC and spending time at his home in Bracey.

Some people enjoyed fishing, golf, and bowling. William loved working. He even worked at several places in Mecklenburg County. He enjoyed music, collected albums and CDs of all artists. He also had a hobby of collecting coins. He was a quiet, serious, no-nonsense person who was always to himself, minding his business and taking care of his family.

In 2010 William became ill and went through a lot but he trusted in God and never gave up.

In 2012 he joined Sharon Baptist Church and was ordained a Deacon in 2013 under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. Garland B. Liggon. When he became sick in 2021, he asked to step down from the Deacon Board in 2023.

William began to get tired of all the tests and treatments and said to Sylvia, “I don’t think I want any more tests.”

William loved his sons, grands and great-grandchildren and especially his wife. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. He raised his great-grandson, Deon, who he was so proud of him.

William leaves to mourn his wife- Sylvia Young Kemper of the home; 2 sons- William (Alisha) Kemper, Lawrenceville, VA and Walter Kemper, Bracey, VA; 1 sister- Joyce Kemper, Washington, DC; 2 brothers- James and Ralph Kemper, both of Washington, DC; sister-in-law, Sandra Thomas, Washington, DC; 2 brothers-in-law, Walter Robert Young, Washington, DC and John (Irene) Johnson, Bristol, VA; 4 aunts- Norma Brown, Temple Hills, MD; Lillian Richards, Capitol Heights, MD; Barbara Jackson, Harrisonburg, PA, and Saide Stevenson, District Heights, MD; uncle- James Washington, McMinnville, OR; special friend- Clarence Mason, Upper Marlboro, MD; special niece- Diane Kemper-Nichols, Solomons Island, MD, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.