Obituary of William Kephart

Silent key WD8RTW William "Bill" Bernard Kephart, 83, of Masontown passed peacefully away on June 28, 2013 with his family beside him. He was born on September 28, 1929, a son of the late Ruth John Pierce Kephart and William Dank Kephart. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Bill was the type that never met a stranger and enjoyed the many friends he had made over the years. Growing up he was a scribe for the Boy Scouts of America. Bill worked in the coal mines and Sterling Faucet for many years. He was know by many as the "watch man" for his work on watches, clocks and his family history of watch makers. His passion was working in "ham" or Amateur Radio as WD8RTW. He assisted during natural disasters relaying information to police and rescue crews using his ham radio skills including the Rowlesburg Flood. He also worked for several years at the "Ham Tent" during the Buckwheat Festival. He was a fluent in Morse code. Some of his awards include: WAS, WAC, NCC AS NOVICE, RCC W-100-N, WPX, and DXCC 10X #31946. He has contacted over 120 countries and even the space station using the power of ham radio. For years he enjoyed doing his ham radio checkin every Sunday at 9:00 pm. Bill is survived by his daughter, Katherine Eble Varner; his grandchildren, Deanna Mayers and husband Richard, Kevin Eble, Melissa Radcliff and Chad Radcliff; his great grandchildren, Mark, Ashley and Elizabeth Mayers and a special friend, Betty Dudley He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lucille Kephart and his daughter Brenda Kephart Radcliff Short. Friends may call at the Field Funeral Home on Sunday, June 30, 2013 from 2 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11am at the Masontown Church of the Nazarene on Monday, July 1, 2013 with Rev. Tim Heaney officiating. The family would like to thank Jack Wilson and Bill Young for their special friendship. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fieldfuneralhome.com.