William L Kemp

William L. Kemp, age 83, passed away on April 1, 2022 at his daughter's home in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was under the care of Alamogordo Hospice. Bill was born on November 20, 1938 in Wallace, Idaho to Clifton Harold Kemp and Charlotte Lavella (Erwin) Kemp. 

Bill moved to Lewiston, Idaho from Osborne, Idaho when he was 15 after his father got a job with the railroad. His first job was working as a pin setter at Kegler Bowling Alley, which he remembered fondly. After graduating from high school, Bill attended Bible School in Oregon and received an Associate's degree in Ministries. He joined the Army in 1960 and trained in San Francisco as an Operating Room (OR) technician. He was later stationed in Landsthul, Germany and then in Fort Devens, Massachusetts before serving in Vietnam at the 85th Evacuation Hospital in PhuBai. 

When he returned home from Vietnam, he attended Lewis and Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho and received an Associate's degree in nursing. While going to nursing school, he worked as an aide at St. Joseph's and when he passed his boards in 1973, he got a job working as a nurse in the OR. He remained there until he retired in 1995. After retirement, Bill worked as a massage therapist at A touch of Health, a business he founded in Lewiston. He specialized in Reiki and ortho-bionomy, and continued in these disciplines until shortly before his death. 

He married Joan Yvonne Tannahill in 1957. He had three children with Joan, before divorcing. He married Constance Rae Bilby in 1978 and they later divorced. He met his third wife, Diane Louise Ropp McCann at work and it was finally the right fit. They married on January 20, 1983 and enjoyed many years of happiness until her death in 2014.

After Diane's death, Bill spent some time with his daughter in Idaho Falls and then some time with his son in Boise. He eventually settled at Affinity Living of Boise. He made many new friends and enjoyed his independence, maintaining a very busy social schedule. Bill fell ill the beginning of 2022 and was unable to live independently. His daughter was moving to Alamogordo, New Mexico and Bill moved with her and her husband. 

This new adventure allowed him to get to know his great grandchildren. He loved face timing with his great granddaughter in Oregon and often bragged about how smart she was to anyone who would listen. He had a special relationship with his two grandchildren in Alamogordo and loved eating Oreos with his great grandson. While in Alamogordo, Bill was also able to participate in a Reiki group. He loved going to this group on Sundays and it brought great joy in the last month of his life. 

He is survived by his three children, David L. Kemp (Carleen) of Kuna, Idaho, Duane L. Kemp (Corrinne) of Switzerland, Karla D. Patterson (Mike) of Alamogordo, NM; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte Lavella Kemp and Clifton H. Kemp; his brother, Eugene Harold Kemp; his wife, Diane Louise Kemp; and two stepsons, Steven McCann and Robert McCann. 

Bill's family would like to extend a special thank you to the Alamogordo Hospice Team who cared for him; Kim, Sharon and Donna. Thank you for the wonderful, tender care you provided. Bill never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. He requested no services. Please raise a toast to his memory.

The Kemp family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.

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