William Edward (Eddie) Kemper was born on September 1, 1938, in Liberal, KS as the eighth and final child to Charles Ernest and Bertha Love (Thomas) Kemper. He passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at his Marietta, OK residence at the age of 86.
Eddie attended high school in Liberal, and eventually earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the DeVry Institute in Dallas, TX.
He worked as an Electrical Engineer with Texas Instruments, which was later sold to Raytheon, whom he eventually retired from in 2010.
Eddie carried his work habits home with him. He would spend hours in his workshop, tinkering around the house finding things to fix, and would often make homemade tools for home and work projects as he had a mind for anything mechanical and electrical. His philosophy was to “always make with quality” and “don’t rush...do it right the first time”. These qualities were often bragged upon by his former work colleagues and he instilled these same qualities into his children.
Eddie loved watching Fox News, reading the Bible, and spending time researching various issues on his laptop computer. He was a big believer in knowing the facts and being up to date on current topics. He was frequently told he should have been an attorney as he loved a good debate.
One of his Eddie’s favorite pastimes was watching old westerns, murder mysteries, and legal dramas. Some of his favorites were “The Rifleman,” “Matlock,” “Murder She Wrote,” and “Perry Mason.” He had an amazing sense of humor, and his laughter can still be heard even after his passing.
Eddie was a Christian and was a devout believer in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was saved at a young age and died knowing he was bound for Heaven’s gates with Jesus welcoming him with open arms. His faith played an important part in his life.
Eddie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.
He fell in love with his lifelong partner and companion of 64 years, Angelina Irene Velasquez. He married her on December 31, 1960 in Liberal. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the early 1960s and spent most of that time becoming a skilled marksman while stationed overseas in Germany. After his military service, they started their family in Liberal and moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex where they raised their children. After Eddie’s retirement from Raytheon, they moved to Marietta in 2002, where they enjoyed the small-town life once again.
He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and three sisters.
Those left to carry on Eddie’s legacy are his wife, Angelina Irene Kemper of Marietta; son, Kris Edward Kemper of Dallas; daughters, Teri Rae Imperial and husband Jonas of Highland Village, TX and Angelina Kae Ward and husband Joe of Coppell, TX; grandsons, Bryce Christian Imperial of Highland Village, Alexander and Nicholas Ward both of Coppell; sister, Eula Lock of Pratt, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, brother’s-in-law, sister’s-in-law, and other relatives.
Eddie was his family’s anchor, inspiration, and guiding light. He was loved more than words can express and will always be the family’s hero and role model.
• Funeral services for Eddie will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home Chapel in Marietta, Okla., with Pastor Brandon Twyford officiating.
Burial, with military honors, will immediately follow at the Seaman First Class Billy Turner Oklahoma State Veterans Cemetery in Ardmore, Okla.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 at the funeral home.
Serving as casket bearers will be Bryce Christian Imperial, Jonas Imperial, Alexander Ward, Nicholas Ward, Joe Ward, and Victor Montano. Honorary casket bearers will be Kris Kemper, Abel Velasquez, Joseph Velasquez, Tommy Velasquez, Bob Velasquez, Ray Velasquez, and Ruben Montano.
Condolences may be left at www.wattsfuneralhome.com.
Paid obituary
