William W. Kerns

William W. Kerns, 94, of Bern Township, passed away on January 4, 2025 at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He was the husband of the late June (Reifsnyder) Kerns, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. Born in Altoona, he was the son of the late Walter and Ruth (Estep) Kerns. He graduated from Mt. Penn High School and was a member of Bern Evangelical Lutheran Church.

William proudly served his country as a United States Marine. He went on to work as a Pressman at the Reading Eagle for 48 years until his retirement.

He was a life member of the Russel M. Butterweck Detachment of the Marine Corps League. He participated with Marine ground troops in an atomic bomb test at the Nevada desert test site, May 1, 1952. He was a past Secretary and 45-year member of Pressman's Local 160 of the G.C.I.U., and served on numerous committees. William was Secretary and Project Director of the Berks County Vietnam Memorial Commission and was a member of the VVA Chapter 131 "Last Patrol" remembrance walk, from the National Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC to Reading City Park, April 23-30, 1988. He was also Project Director of the Gold Star Mothers WWII and Korean War Memorials in Reading City Park, a charter member of the POW/MIA Forget-Me-Nots of Berks County, and was an active volunteer with the Berks County Monument Preservation Fund.

William is survived by his son, William D. Kerns and his wife Lisa S., of State College, PA, and son-in-law, Earl J. Faller, of Dublin, VA. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kevin Faller and his wife Lauren, Kristin Kerns-D'Amore and her husband Nick D'Amore, Kimberley Dawson and her husband Trey, and Laura Kerns and her husband John Brezovec, along with six great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his daughter Kathryn I. Faller and sister Margaret K. Catherman.

Visitation with family and friends will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am with services beginning at 11:00 am at Bern Evangelical Lutheran Church, 820 W Leesport Road, Leesport, PA 19533. Interment will follow at Bern Cemetery, 3196 Bernville Road, Leesport, Pennsylvania 19533. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bern Evangelical Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund, 820 W Leesport Road, Leesport, PA 19533.

Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com.