Coach William H. "Bill" Kemp
August 11, 1931 ~ March 18, 2018
Born in:
Nashville, TN
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, GA
Coach William H. “Bill” Kemp age 86 of Lawrenceville passed away March 18, 2018. Coach Kemp worked for DeKalb College as a Physical Education Professor for 38 years; during his tenure he coached Baseball, Tennis and Soccer. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran serving during the Korean Conflict and the Vice Mayor of Clarkston from 1995 until 2005.
Coach Kemp is survived by his children, Emily K. Rogers and her husband Larry of Lawrenceville, William “Hal” Kemp, Jr. and his wife Lynn, Blue Ridge, GA, Gerald Hubert Kemp and his wife Carol, Matthews, NC; grandchildren, Ashley Jo Hoy and her husband David, Kirk David Rogers, Christopher Kemp, Haley Kemp, Alexandria Kemp, Amy Kemp and Ross Kemp; great grandchildren, Cadence Kemp and Henley Jo Hoy.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel. Dr. Frank Cox will officiate. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy. Lawrenceville GA 30046. 770-277-4550.
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Coach Kemp’s influence on my life 45 years ago hasn’t stopped to this day. He was my coach at Dekalb Junior College and was the kind of man I wanted to immulate. He was more of a role model to me than any other coach I ever played for. I know he leaves a big void in the lives of his family and friends. My prayers are with you during this time! The memories of “Coach” will forever be with you…what a blessing that will be! God bless ya’ll!
Coach Kemp was an inspiration to all who met him. He will be dearly missed.
Sorry for your loss. you will be in my thoughts and prayers
I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts & prayers are with you & your family
The Orlando Team sends our thoughts and prayers to the family.
Valerie Neal Dori Santos Camille Nasca Bob Neff Kevin Waters Tony Santos Cheryl Deering Roy Kope
Annett Gates Keith Caldwell Cee Cee Bailey Carmine Russo Wally Newsome Mike Knight Alam Hack Brian Waters Victor Arnua Abel Soto
The Upstate Team is very sorry for your loss. We send our deepest sympathy and will keep the entire Kemp family in our prayers.
My deepest sympathy to the Kemp family. Coach Kemp impacted not only kids on the field, his son Hal has those same qualities and impacts all the branches he works with on a daily basis.
Prayers and love to all of you during this time.
Hal, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. We know he was a great man, because he raised a great son in you. Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. All my prayers and thoughts go out to your family.
We will be praying for your family.
Hal, we are so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Hal, I am very sorry to hear about your loss of your Dad. I know he was a special man to you and your family. I will be praying and thinking about you wishing you peace. God bless you and your family
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Hal, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father. In talking with you, it was obvious as to the influence that he had on your life. Your family is in our prayers.
The Kemp family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts are with you & your family
God bless the Kemp family. You will all be in our prayers.
Sorry for your loss Hal. Your in our prayers.
Hal, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Fathers, like mothers, are special people and great influences in our lives. You will always miss him but carry his legacy with pride.
To all the kids our deepest sympathy. I debated on whether to tell daddy because I knew it would upset him so. He cried and cried saying I thought the world of Bill. I will miss our phone conversations so much but I’m glad that the last one I had with Bill I got to tell him that I would be praying for him and that I loved him. Emily, Hall and Hugh you were blessed with a wonderful mom and dad. He will be missed by so many who loved him.
Hal, Lynn,Chris & Haley
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Having known Coach Bill all my life I will miss him terribly. As a little kid he would pull me around our Nashville neighbor in my little red wagon. I came to regard him more of a big brother than an uncle. Coach Bill will always be alive in my heart.
I have fond memories of Bill and my father during the dog days of Vanderbilt football They both shared a special bond as they followed their sons’ football careers through thick and thin.(Hal and Warren). He was a great father and husband, and influenced many in a very positive way. Hal, Emily and Hugh, I’m sorry for your loss. You will all be in the prayers of Leigh and I.
I knew Coach in what had to be some of his prime years while Hal was at Vandy playing ball … Bill was a larger than life person to meet and be around….. a strong presence for everyone to enjoy . He also had a great sense of humor that no doubt influenced Hal. My thoughts and prayers to the entire family and a tribute to the legacy and wonderful memories of a great and memorable person.
We are so sorry for your loss of your Dad. We will keep you and your Family in our Prayers
Bruce and Kathy Allen
Hal I am sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
God’s Peace,
Pete Block
I was very fortunate to play for Coach Kemp at DeKalb Central Junior College in 79 & 80 and his leadership and integrity I carry with me to this day. My teammates and I had some really great times those two years and we won many more games than we lost thanks to his prowess of the game. He always had words of encouragement for all and I loved his third base signals from the coaching box! Coach thanks for the opportunity you gave me to chase my dreams at 18 and I’ll never forget you! May God Bless the Kemp family!
I remember Bill as a wonderful family man and die hard Vandy fan back in the day. I also know he was a great inspiration and positive influence on all those he coached through the years. Bill’s legacy, no doubt, will live on forever.
Hal, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
My sincere condolences go to you and your family I know I can be difficult when losing a loved one acts 24:15 helps us to appreciate that there will be a ressurection and soon we will be reunited with our loved ones again my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
I have a great deal to be grateful for with Coach Kemp and his impact on my life. Coach Kemp not only gave me an opportunity to play College baseball, but his belief in me as a person has impacted me far beyond the game. Coach Kemp was a great baseball Coach but more important a great man. I don’t recall a hitting secret or pitching tip that changed my life, but I do recall how he treated us as players and how much he loved his family. His beautiful wife was always present and daily we heard stories of his children and how proud he was of them and rightfully so! Its amazing how God can use a Baseball Coach to teach you about family and whats truly important in life. Thank you Coach Kemp for your example and thank you to his family who greatly reflected their Mom and Dads love for them.
Hal, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time. I am truly sorry for your loss.
HAl. the service today was outstanding. Although I did not know your Dad personally from all the things I heard today I know he was a great Man. He loved his family, wife very much and loved to coach the many guys throughout the years He will be missed much but is now home with your mom
I have known Bill since he was 5 years of age and now that means a span of 81 year more years.. The Kemps were neighbors in Nashville and he and my sister, Jo, were playmates. About 15 or so years later, he became my brother-in-law. However, he was always more of a brother to me instead of an in-law. Bill and my husband (Bill Ayers) were both coaches and were great friends/buddies. Our children and I have always loved him dearly and he will be so profoundly missed but will forever live in our hearts. My heartfelt love to the whole family, who are also my family – we are all so saddened to lose him and will miss him every day but know he has earned his wings!
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. I hope the words found at Revelation 21:4 brings comfort.
My deepest condolences to the family. God is the source of life and an enemy of death. May His word be a source of comfort to you in the days ahead until you see your loved one again (Acts 24:15).
My belated sympathy to the Kemp family. Coach rescued me from the cold north and I have nothing but fond memories. I have been coaching ever since and my experience with the entire Kemp family got me started. Miss taking care of the field, hanging out with Hugh in their home and the duels we had with Morris at Dekalb South. May he Rest In Peace!