William Buchanan "Bill" Kemp

William Buchanan “Bill” Kemp passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016. He was born November 15, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan to Henry Lincoln and Margaret Buchanan Kemp. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Henry Kemp; daughter, Kathleen Anne Kemp. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Marie Grobbel Kemp, four daughters: Margaret, (Rene) Karteron, Michaela, (Martin) Zirnbauer, Angela, (Andrew) Woodrow, PJ (Thomas) Jackson; nine grandchildren: Sarah (Joe) Markowski, Erin (Drew) Slattery, Colleen (Greg) Gause, Miranda Zirnbauer, Brendan Vasquez, Rebecca Zirnbauer, Leon Karteron, Parker Jackson, Henry Jackson; eight great grandchildren: Seth, Raylie, Lance, JP, Trinity Markowski; Nate, Brooke, Griffin Gause. Sister, Marge Secontine. Countless Cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by:, Bill grew up in Detroit, Michigan where he and his family were members of Gesu Parish. He was a Faithful, early morning everyday altar boy, riding his bike to serve in early AM Mass and home 1 mile for breakfast all before school. He attended Campion Jesuit High School, Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin. Bill was active in theater, and ice hockey. He attended the University of Detroit for 2 years and then entered the army rising quickly to Technical Sgt and after 2 years in the army Bill, who had learned many things by interesting summer jobs was employed full time by Huck Mfg. In 1958, Bill became engaged to Patricia Marie Grobbel, daughter of family friends. They were married May 2, 1959. William and Patricia had 5 beautiful daughters. For most of Bill’s life he worked in sales, primarily after-market sales for Ingersoll-Rand and then Dresser-Rand as the western regional sales manager, pump division. The family moved from Grosse Pointe, Michigan to Orange County California before landing in Houston in 1989. After retirement, Bill was very active in his church, St. John Vianney Catholic Church. He participated in the charter group of SJV, “That Man is You,” was a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion, a money counter, and member of the Men’s Club as well as Kitchen Crew on the smokehouse team for bar-b-que at the parish bazaar. Most recently he distributed the apostleship of prayer for each month. Bill was a regular at Adoration and devoted to the Divine Mercy Chaplet. He was dearly loved by those who knew him and will be greatly missed. The Kemp family will be present to receive friends, Monday, February 1, 2016 from 9 until 11 am for visitation at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 8825 Kempwood, Dr., Houston, TX 77080. The Funeral Mass will commence following visitation at 11 am. A reception will follow Holy Mass on the church grounds at St. Jerome. Graveside services will be held in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, MI on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Bill’s memory to the Gabriel Project at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston. TX. 77079-6234.

William Buchanan "Bill" Kemp

November 15, 1934 - January 20, 2016