William “Whitey” Kemp, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025. To celebrate Whitey’s life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. There will be a prayer service held immediately after visitation at 6:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, with Rev. Steven M. Garner officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Born in 1935 in Remsen, Iowa, to Roman and Modesta (Cross) Kemp, Bill was the second of six children. After surviving the 1936 “4^th of July, Great Fire” of Remsen, his family relocated to Dubuque, where he spent the rest of his life.

As a child, Bill earned the nickname “Whitey” due to his fair skin and white hair— a name he carried proudly throughout his life. He was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, learning essential outdoor skills that later became a lifelong passion. Bill attended multiple schools, including the Vinton School of the Blind, Holy Ghost, and Nativity, before graduating from Loras Academy in 1954. Even as a student, Bill was hardworking, holding multiple jobs such as newspaper delivery, yard work, and snow shoveling.

Following high school, Bill worked at Dr. Pepper before moving on to a long and diverse career that included time at the Dubuque Packing Company, A.Y. McDonald, Eska Company, Walser Crane, the Dubuque Community School District, and Interstate Power Company (now Alliant Energy), where he retired in 2005 at the age of 70.

Bill served in the National Guard, enlisting in 1952 with the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Division, Company A. He worked as a radioman and remained an inactive member until his honorable discharge in 1962.

In 1959, Bill met Janice Post in Galena, Illinois. A city boy from Dubuque, Bill fell for the country girl from Blackjack Road. In true Bill fashion, he drove through a blizzard to see her, proving his devotion. They married on February 20, 1960, at Nativity Church and built a beautiful life together, raising four daughters: Tina, Debra, Tammy, and Kelly.

Family was at the center of Bill’s world. In 1974, Bill and Janice moved to their beloved home on Pinard Street, where they raised their daughters and later welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The home was known for its festive holiday decorations, and an annual tradition was letting the grandkids take turns lighting the Christmas lights for the first time each Thanksgiving. Bill and Janice also took great pride in their garden, growing and canning vegetables—especially their famous dilly beans.

Bill was an active and dedicated member of his community. He worked at the Dubuque Boys Club as the “Game Room Supervisor,” where he organized activities and accompanied kids to sporting events and national BB gun tournaments. He also spent winters running the Saturday Morning Recreation Program at Sageville Elementary, providing a safe and fun environment for kids to stay active.

A passionate racing enthusiast, Bill was a founding member of the “Slo Pokes” Drag Racing Club in Dubuque, competing in Cordova, Oswego, and Des Moines. He won multiple trophies with his two-tone green 1955 Chevy. His love for racing extended to go-karts, where he and his brothers could be found speeding across frozen Fentress Lake, winning three go-kart championships.

Bill’s greatest lifelong passion was the East Dubuque V.F.W. Drum and Bugle Corps, which he joined in 1965. For nearly 60 years, he played a key role in the Corps, marching across the Midwest and serving as commander for decades. He carried the bass drum and his whistle with pride and helped organize events, including the annual Buddy Holly Dance fundraiser, which grew so popular it had to be moved to the Five Flags Center.

Whitey and Janice were avid campers, first with their daughters in a canvas tent at Massey Marina and later with a pop-up camper in Potosi, Camp 17, and Swiss Valley. Most recently, he and his son-in-law, Rich, served as co-hosts of Mud Lake Campground, where they patrolled on a Gator and enjoyed campfire fellowship.

Bill also loved traveling. With his grandson Matthew, Bill explored Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Wales, England, and France. He also took trips to Canada, the Bahamas, and Alaska with his daughters. A favorite family tradition was the annual trip to Carpenter Lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where they rented a small cabin and enjoyed swimming, campfires, and storytelling. Bill delighted in teasing the kids about the legendary “water puppies” that supposedly lurked in the lake.

In his later years, Bill remained deeply involved in his community. He was a proud member of the Dubuque County Conservation Society for over 40 years, building birdhouses, installing fences, and helping with conservation efforts. He was also an active parishioner at Holy Ghost Church, faithfully walking five blocks to attend mass every Saturday evening. His dedication to veterans was evident in his work on the Veterans Memorial monument at the Dubuque Arboretum.

Bill’s life was filled with love, adventure, and a deep sense of community. He was known for his stories, his generosity, and his ability to bring people together. Whether it was a Friday morning breakfast, a Saturday night steak fry, or a game of checkers with his famous “Boys Club Rules,” Bill cherished every moment spent with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his daughters: Tina (Richard) Cornwall, Debra (Jeffrey) Weiland, Tammy (Bruce) Phillips, and Kelly (Scott Ontjes) Kemp, all of Dubuque. His grandchildren: Matthew (Chase) Cornwall, Joshua (Jenni) Weiland, Cassandra “Cathy” (Kyle) Cornwall, Ashley (Scott) Schlickman II, Amanda Weiland, and Amber (Robert) Blake. His great-grandchildren: Jared, Axton, Bentley, Kaylee, Sylas, Jurnee, Scott III, Mildred, Ellie, Junior, Ty, and Starr. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Bonnie and Sherlon Kemp and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Modesta Kemp, beloved wife of 56 years, Janice Kemp, his great-grandchildren River Beecher and Xander Cornwall, his siblings Sally (CJ) Richards, Jim (Carol) Kemp, Ron Kemp, Larry Kemp, and Marlene (Cal) Giesman, his mother-in-law, Mildred Post, a sister-in-law, Mary “Bea” (George) McRae, and a brother-in-law, Bob Post.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Loetscher at Medical Associates, Hospice of Dubuque: Nurses Chris, Kristin and Steph. Also, thank you for their special love and tender care and help, Amber and Kimmy.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com