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William ‘Bill’ H. Kersting, 85

Captain William “Bill” H. Kersting, USN (retired), a longtime resident of Hayden, passed away from natural causes on Sunday, April 1, 2018, at the age of 85.

Bill was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in Plainfield, N.J., where he attended high school. In 1951, during the Korean Conflict, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving five years as a radioman. He completed Officers Candidate School and was commissioned as ensign in 1956. Bill’s military education included mine management, special warfare and operations and surface warfare and destroyer fleet management. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Laverne College in 1975.

During his 37-year career, Bill became a highly decorated officer, receiving over 25 decorations including the Silver Star Medal for Naval gallantry during the Vietnam War, three Bronze Stars and five Legions of Merit with Combat V, among many others. Captain Kersting was also recognized by receiving numerous campaign and service medals from five governments, in addition to Insignias for Command at Sea, Command Ashore, and Surface Warfare. At the height of his career, Bill held command positions in Special Warfare, a flotilla of minesweepers, destroyer group 23, and was the commanding officer of Subic Bay Naval Base, among others.

Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1987, Bill married the love of his life, Patricia Van Orden of Blackfoot, Idaho. He enjoyed a separate career as a contractor with Computer Science Corporation on various military projects at the Point Mugu Naval Station, in Ventura County, California, and in the Caribbean, before settling down in Hayden, Idaho.

Bill remained an active member of the community and in local and state politics, serving as the chair for the Northern Idaho Democrats.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William Kersting of New Jersey and Bridget “Delia” Meehan of County Galway, Ireland; as well as his sister, Barbara (Robert) Crowley. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Patricia; his sister, Mary Kersting of Los Angeles, Calif.; stepson, Brian (Gina) Belke of Sacramento, Calif.; his nephews, Robert (Sara) Crowley of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Kevin (Sheryl) Crowley and niece, Mary (Thomas) Lorenz of Columbus, Ohio. Bill has numerous great-nieces and nephews in Ohio and Boston. The family would like to thank the staff at Ivy Court of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for their kindness and care.

Donations in Bills name may be made online to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org.

Memorial services are pending. Friends may share memories of Bill on his online memorial site at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. Yates Funeral Homes have been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.