February 28, 1928 - August 31, 2025
Boise, Idaho - William Edmund Kerby, 97, of Lake Havasu, AZ and Donnelly, ID passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025, in Boise, ID.
Will was born Feb 28, 1928, in Cascade, ID where he grew up on the family ranch in the Alpha community. Will spent his first eight years of school in a one room school in Alpha and graduated from Cascade High School in 1947. Will counts one of the highlights of his senior year of high school as when his football team won the State Six Man Football Championship. After graduating, he worked summers on the ranch and attended the University of Idaho for two years. He was called to the Army in the fall of 1950 during the Korean Conflict. In March of 1951, his 45th Division was deployed to Korea. After being discharged, Will went to work for J.I. Morgan Inc. in New Meadows, ID for the next 45 years, until retiring in 1997. During that period, he worked as a log cat skidder, truck driver, mechanic, equipment superintendent, Board Director, Vice-President, President, and Chairman of the Board.
Will volunteered in many positions, including 12 years on the Meadows Valley School Board. He served as presidents of the Intermountain Logging Conference, Southern Idaho Forestry Association, Idaho Forest Industry Council, Pacific Logging Congress, Timber Products Manufacturers, and as a director of the Highway Users Federation. Will was a proud supporter of the University of Idaho from which he received his Honorary Associate Degree in Forestry.
In March 1952, he married Myrna Copeland of Cascade while at home on leave from the Army. Together they had four children: Chris, Kyle, Shannon and Paula. Will and Myrna later divorced.
Will enjoyed his time in Donnelly hosting family reunions, going to church, attending class reunions, boating and traveling almost everywhere. Will's time in Lake Havasu was spent golfing, fishing and having family, friends and good neighbors visit him. He loved entertaining people on his patio.
Will is proceeded in death by his parents Edmund & Marion Kerby, brother Frank Kerby, sisters Francis Coski, Marilyn Winston, and Marjorie Cojerean, and son-in-law Ken Koeberlein. Will is survived by a son Kyle (Tana) Kerby, daughters Christine Koeberlein, Shannon (Kevin) Proctor and Paula (Lane) DeGiulio, ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Brookdale's nursing staff and Horizon Hospice for their care and comfort for their dad.
A Celebration of Life is planned on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Donnelly Bible Church in Donnelly, ID.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask to make a memorial contribution to Adams County Historical Society, Box 352, New Meadows, ID 83654 or Donnelly Bible Church, Box 167, Donnelly ID 83615.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Idaho Statesman from Sep. 22 to Sep. 24, 2025.
